Generative AI in Games Expected to Trigger Copyright Crisis


Introducing AI Dungeon: The Mind-Boggling World of AI-Generated Games

Are you ready to embark on a mind-bending adventure where reality and imagination blend in unprecedented ways? If so, then you’re in for a treat! In this captivating blog post, we will delve into the extraordinary realm of AI Dungeon and uncover the perplexing questions it raises about authorship, ownership, and copyright. Brace yourself as we explore the thrilling universe that AI Dungeon has created!

AI Dungeon, powered by OpenAI’s GPT-3, emerged on the gaming scene in May 2019. Reminiscent of classic text adventure games, such as “Colossal Cave Adventure,” it allows players to choose from an array of fantastical settings, ranging from mysterious worlds to cyberpunk dystopias. Like a master storyteller, AI Dungeon invites you to assume a character persona, select a name and class, and uncork the magic of your imagination.

So let’s dive into my own personal AI Dungeon experience. Picture this: a post-apocalyptic wasteland where desperation hangs heavy in the air. As Mr. Magoo, a survivor scavenging for scraps of sustenance, my heart races with hunger. Fate, however, has a cruel twist in store for Magoo. As he stumbles upon a mysterious figure clad in white, a greeting quickly turns into a neck-stabbing encounter. Intriguing, isn’t it?

Ah, but here lies the conundrum that the gaming industry is only just beginning to confront. Although I created this story from the depths of my imagination, it was brought to life with the assistance of an AI helper. The burning question remains: who truly wrote this tale, and who merits the rightful compensation for their work?

Enter Nick Walton, the mastermind behind AI Dungeon. A former researcher at Brigham Young University’s deep learning lab, Walton now spearheads Latitude, a company known as “the future of AI-generated games.” While AI Dungeon might not be a household name yet, it has already captivated millions of players. The interactive dynamic between the player and the AI, much like a dungeon master in a classic tabletop RPG, fuels the emergence of fantastical narratives.

Across several years of experimentation, users have conjured up D&D-esque epics far more compelling than mine. Some even took their creativity to new heights, breaking AI Dungeon with their horrendously delightful writing. Yet, not all tales originating from AI Dungeon orbit the realm of creativity unscathed. Controversy ensued when users began prompting the AI to generate sexually explicit content involving children—a stark reminder of the ethical quandaries surrounding AI’s infinite possibilities.

As AI Dungeon evolves and similar tools emerge, the encompassing questions surrounding authorship, ownership, and copyright grow even more intricate. Games like Halo and Age of Empires offer players sophisticated map makers, granting them the ability to shape virtual worlds. Minecraft, with its player-owned in-game creations, stands as a rare exception amidst the sea of “take it or leave it” end-user license agreements. However, AI poses an entirely new set of complexities. According to copyright laws in the US and the UK, only humans can claim authorship, leaving AI Dungeon’s output submerged in a murky abyss. Does the company behind the AI hold the rights, or should they be bestowed upon the user who embraced the AI’s creative help?

So, my fellow adventurers, strap yourselves in for an intellectual journey through the uncharted territories of AI Dungeon. Together, we shall explore the unending possibilities of AI-generated games while contemplating the profound implications for the world of creative ownership. Your presence in this ethereal realm is essential, as we unravel the mysteries that await us in a future where the boundaries of authorship blur and AI’s influence continues to rise. Let the games begin!

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