"Quite often it's given me more to do" – Why AI might be creating more work for games companies, rather than saving time
Generative AI in game development promises efficiency but often increases workloads, triggers data risks, and fuels employee anxiety, according to industry leaders at the GamesIndustry.biz HR Summit.
At the GamesIndustry.biz HR Summit, industry leaders described how generative AI’s promised efficiency gains are frequently offset by new workplace challenges. While some noted AI’s ability to accelerate coding or automate repetitive tasks, many highlighted persistent issues such as heightened employee anxiety over job security, concerns about sensitive data leaks, and the added burden on HR teams to address lengthy AI-generated grievance letters. One senior executive emphasized their company’s strict policy against using AI-generated content in final games, while acknowledging potential uses elsewhere in the business.
Employee anxiety about AI’s role in their jobs was a recurring theme, with leaders reporting late-night emails questioning whether AI adoption threatened their positions. Management teams also expressed uncertainty about the technology’s trajectory and the difficulty of planning for its rapid evolution. A straw poll revealed a shift from last year, with most companies now having AI policies in place, though the pace of change often forces frequent revisions to keep guidelines current.
Data privacy emerged as a major concern, particularly regarding employees using personal AI accounts to process confidential information. Leaders noted the challenge of enforcing restrictions when staff can bypass corporate controls by using external tools. Confusion over AI’s purpose was another issue, with studios adopting the technology without clear objectives, leading to inefficiencies and wasted resources.
Practical examples illustrated AI’s mixed impact: an artist’s AI-generated shader code caused delays when it failed to meet standards, while outsourced AI art with glaring errors was approved by non-experts. Speakers also warned that AI workflows often expose flaws in undocumented studio processes, and while AI can speed up tasks, it may degrade the quality of the work experience for employees.