Witchfire CEO defends Divinity developers’ AI exploration, noting backlash arises from a desire for human connection in art.

Adrian Chmielarz, the CEO of The Astronauts and the mind behind the acclaimed walking simulator The Vanishing of Ethan Carter and the upcoming fantasy FPS Witchfire, has weighed in on the ongoing conversation about Larian Studios’ exploration of generative AI.

Recently, Larian’s CEO Swen Vincke faced criticism after revealing that the studio was experimenting with generative AI during the early stages of production for Divinity. He later clarified that the RPG would not include any AI-generated assets at launch, stating that while developers could use the technology for initial brainstorming, the studio was not looking to replace human developers.

Despite this clarification, the backlash continued, with many raising concerns about the ethical and environmental implications of generative AI, issues that persist regardless of whether the game features AI-generated art.

In a discussion with an outlet, Chmielarz noted that Larian “got a little bit unlucky” with the timing of their announcement. He expressed his belief that Larian is not acting maliciously, observing that they are engaged in a thoughtful examination of what this technology means for their future.

On the other hand, Chmielarz is firmly against incorporating generative AI into the development of Witchfire. He mentioned that while he has utilized AI tools to refine his placeholder text due to language barriers, AI is not being used in any other aspect of the fantasy shooter.

Chmielarz also shared an insightful perspective on the public’s concerns regarding AI in game development, appreciating the passion people have for the origins of their art: “They want to have contact with other humans through art.”