EA Games is embracing artificial intelligence across various operational facets, but the transition has been anything but smooth. The company’s ambitious AI integration has sparked debates and concerns among its workforce, highlighting both potential benefits and significant drawbacks.
EA’s AI Integration Challenges
Reports suggest that over the past year, EA’s leadership has been encouraging its 15,000 employees to incorporate AI into nearly every aspect of their work. This ranges from generating game code and concept art to assisting managers with communication strategies on topics like pay and promotions. However, the AI tools intended to streamline coding have often produced flawed outputs, necessitating manual corrections by developers. Furthermore, there is growing apprehension about AI’s impact on roles traditionally held by concept artists and level designers, as employees are asked to train AI using their own work.
Job Risks and Industry Perspectives
This extensive reliance on AI has not only ignited concerns about the quality of work but also threatens job security. A former employee from Respawn, one of EA’s major studios, revealed that approximately 100 employees were laid off this spring. The company’s decision to use AI for processing play tester feedback, a task previously managed by human staff, was a significant contributor to these layoffs. While the increased use of AI in game development poses a threat to existing roles, some industry leaders view it as an opportunity to enhance efficiency. Masahiro Sakurai, creator of the Super Smash Bros. series, suggests that generative AI can aid in making large-scale projects more feasible, especially in regions like Japan where talent is scarce. Similarly, Hideo Kojima, famed for Metal Gear and Death Stranding, views AI as a tool that complements creativity by allowing developers to dedicate more time to the creative process.