All articles tagged with #genai
Kotaku investigates why video game T-shirts are so hard to buy: the market is flooded with unofficial, AI-generated designs and fast, print-on-demand operations that undercut quality and licensing timelines, while official makers struggle to protect artwork and maintain standards; despite the noise and thieves, industry players remain hopeful that well-made, licensed merch will prevail.
A former Uber employee recounts being laid off first in 2023 and again after returning this year as an evaluations specialist on the GenAI team, detailing the shock of the second layoff, a 21-week severance plus garden leave, ongoing benefits and stock vesting, an active job search in a tough market, and skepticism toward leadership for not safeguarding staff amid AI-driven changes.
A Wisconsin federal judge dismissed charges against a man who used a text-to-image AI model to create thousands of AI-generated child sexual abuse material, citing First Amendment protections and noting the challenge AI evolution poses to existing obscenity and child-protection standards.
Dwarf Fortress creator Tarn Adams criticizes the tech industry’s push to rely on AI for coding, arguing bosses pressure teams to use genAI at the expense of solid, testable software, which could lead to buggy results and a looming reckoning unless practices change.
Kotaku argues that Gamescom 2026's Opening Night Live spotlight includes several titles that use generative AI, with some developers disclosing AI usage on Steam while others remain opaque; the piece accuses publishers of 'genAI sanewashing' and highlights how AI investments by Hoyoverse, Krafton, and NetEase shape the industry. It calls for greater transparency about where AI is used in game creation and urges players to scrutinize disclosures amid ongoing industry upheaval.
Dr. Dre says he uses AI in music production and views it as a creative tool rather than a threat, noting he’s embracing it and that peers like Jimmy Iovine acknowledge there are many AI-assisted producers.
Netflix stock fell after its Q3 outlook missed expectations (revenue about $12.86B vs $13B consensus; EPS $0.82 vs $0.84) even though earnings beat. Full-year revenue guidance was broadly in line; US/Canada growth slowed while Latin America accelerated. Co-CEO Greg Peters said not all hours are created equal, noting live events drive revenue and Netflix will publish viewership metrics annually from 2027. The company is betting on short-form content, aims for about $3B in ad revenue in 2026, and uses GenAI in hundreds of titles, with free cash flow dropping to $1.5B partly due to a $2.8B Warner breakup fee.
Kotaku reviews Ash Koosha’s Odysseus: The Fall, a 135-minute AI-generated take on Homer’s Odyssey pitched as a tech demo rather than a Nolan-scale epic; while it looks impressive at first glance, the AI-produced visuals wobble with shifting faces and clumsy interactions, and Fountain 0 plans to rent it for $9.99, highlighting the broader critique that AI cinema is often more about selling tech than crafting art.
Director Christopher Nolan says The Odyssey backlash over casting is irrelevant until audiences actually see the film, framing the adaptation as a sincere, strongest-possible interpretation. He also critiques GenAI, praising practical effects and noting Gen Z’s rejection of AI ‘slop,’ with Obsession and Backrooms as benchmarks. Nolan urges viewers to approach The Odyssey with an open mind and enjoy the magic on the big screen.
Poncle says it is reviewing its planned Vampire Survivors–Fortnite crossover amid Epic’s GenAI push, casting doubt on whether the deal will move forward as Epic touts AI-assisted asset creation and AI tools in Unreal Engine 6.
The Stellar Blade: Blood Rain trailer sparked online debate over Evie’s youthful appearance, but Shift Up CEO Hyung-tae Kim defends the design, saying players will connect with her personality and combat when they play, and hints at even more appealing outfits for Evie in the sequel.
Stellar Blade: Blood Rain’s reveal trailer has sparked online debate over AI-generated assets, with fans claiming elements in the trailer and even key art appear AI-generated or nonsensical, prompting questions about the visuals in the game’s world. The scrutiny is bolstered by Shift Up CEO Hyung-tae Kim’s past praise of genAI for speeding development, and Kotaku has reached out for comment without an immediate reply.
The Tomb Raider: Legacy of Atlantis Steam page includes an AI disclosure stating AI-assisted tools were used for early exploration and temporary development content, with AI assets refined by humans to preserve the creative vision; Crystal Dynamics later reiterated that AI helps iterate ideas but all final content is human-crafted, a stance echoed by Embracer amid ongoing restructuring and fan concern about AI in the remake.
University of Vaasa research finds that workers who treat generative AI as a collaborative partner become more engaged and better positioned for long-term careers as AI integrates into daily work. The study emphasizes trust management and introduces an eight-step framework for organizations to move from experimentation to integrated GenAI use, signaling an AI-native future where AI is woven into workflows. While some roles may vanish, new opportunities in AI infrastructure and digital services are expected, making GenAI mastery a core career skill.
Filmmaker Jorge Gutierrez has dropped out of Amazon’s GenAI animation initiative and canceled the Punky Duck project after facing backlash over the partnership, posting an apology and indicating he won’t develop Punky Duck; Amazon has not publicly commented on his departure.