Neil Druckmann says AI will enable Naughty Dog to make "more adventurous projects and push the boundaries of storytelling" despite "ethical issues we need to address"

Naughty Dog
(Image credit: Sony)

Naughty Dog president Neil Druckmann has big plans for AI.

AI implementation in video game development is increasing at a frightening rare, and Druckmann has ensured Naughty Dog won't be an exception, although he admits there are some ethical hurdles to figure out. In an interview published by Sony, the Uncharted 4 and Last of Us director shared his vision for video game storytelling in the next 10 years, and it's a future in which AI is integral to development.

"This broadening of possibilities is fueled by increasingly accessible tools that allow even non-technical people to use their imagination and create worlds and narratives to their heart's content," Druckmann said. "Moreover, AI is really going to revolutionize how content is being created, although it does bring up some ethical issues we need to address."

Specifically, Druckmann said AI, along with the ability to do motion capture from home, will reduce costs and technical hurdles by taking on duties that would normally be allocated to human staff. That'll allow Naughty Dog to "take on more adventurous projects and push boundaries of storytelling in games."

"This evolution is truly empowering creators to bring their visions to life without the traditional obstacles," he said. As for those "ethical issues," he wasn't specific, but one can only imagine he's referring to the displacement of human jobs.

It's worth a reminder that this interview was conducted and published by Sony, and you can bet the company has its own plans for the role of AI in PlayStation games. Sony chairman and president Kenichiro Yoshida recently touched on the issue during the company's corporate strategy meeting presentation, describing AI as "a technology that supports creativity" but one that isn't "a substitute for human creativity."

"Creativity resides in people. We will continue to contribute to people's creativity through technology," he added.

Here are the best PS5 games you can play today.

Jordan Gerblick

After scoring a degree in English from ASU, I worked as a copy editor while freelancing for places like SFX Magazine, Screen Rant, Game Revolution, and MMORPG on the side. Now, as GamesRadar's west coast Staff Writer, I'm responsible for managing the site's western regional executive branch, AKA my apartment, and writing about whatever horror game I'm too afraid to finish.

Read more
Mio and Zoe holding a dragon during the trailer for Split Fiction.
Split Fiction's Josef Fares thinks game devs should embrace AI: "I can understand the fact that some people could lose their jobs, but that goes for every new technology"
Horizon Forbidden West
Horizon Zero Dawn's Aloy is the star of Sony's leaked AI-powered character prototype, which allows users to ask questions to an unsettling, emotionless version of the protagonist
The Last of Us 2
The Last of Us creator Neil Druckmann sounds like he's contemplating the end of his career: "When is it time to stop?"
The Witcher 3
Resident Evil and Witcher 3 mocap director says video game industry layoffs have made it so "nothing is guaranteed," but AI won’t be replacing real actors "anytime soon"
Horizon Forbidden West
As Sony trots out an AI-powered Aloy, Horizon Zero Dawn fans revel in the irony: "The entire game is a warning against this kind of nonsense"
The Last of Us 2
The Last of Us director Neil Druckmann doesn't have the "confidence" to plan for sequels: "I'm not saving some idea for the future"
Latest in Games
Assassin's Creed Shadows Naoe assassinating target with Tanto skill
Assassin's Creed Shadows' expert difficulty looks like the best way to play since it does way more than just dial up enemy HP bars
Screenshot from R.E.P.O, showing a scary ghoul face popping out of the shadows to spook a tin-man.
Lethal Company creator shouts out another viral co-op hit that already has 28,000 Steam reviews, says it has "the most funny objective for a horror game"
the last campfire screenshot showing the protagonist talking to a giant frog
Can't wait for the No Man's Sky dev's new game Light No Fire? Well, its latest and much smaller game is $1.49 in the Steam Spring Sale 2025
Zone of the enders 2 screenshot showing mechs battling
One of Hideo Kojima's most overlooked games is under $6 in the Steam Spring Sale 2025 to make the wait for Death Stranding 2 more bearable
Silent Hill f key art showing the main character holding a pipe
Silent Hill f trailer suggests Konami’s newest nightmare will bring back an iconic weapon central to every game in the franchise
Silent Hill f
"What if we […] make it 100% Japanese?": Silent Hill f producer worried Konami's horror series was "starting to feel too westernized"
Latest in News
Assassin's Creed Shadows Naoe assassinating target with Tanto skill
Assassin's Creed Shadows' expert difficulty looks like the best way to play since it does way more than just dial up enemy HP bars
Cloverfield monster
Cloverfield 2 is still moving forward as director teases the long-awaited sequel: "You're gonna get something amazing"
Screenshot from R.E.P.O, showing a scary ghoul face popping out of the shadows to spook a tin-man.
Lethal Company creator shouts out another viral co-op hit that already has 28,000 Steam reviews, says it has "the most funny objective for a horror game"
Conquest in Invincible season 3
Invincible creator "didn't hesitate" to include that Walking Dead reunion in the season 3 finale: "It’s a nice bit of justice"
Rachel Zegler as Snow White
First reactions for Snow White live-action remake praise a "stunning" Rachel Zegler and "show-stopping" new musical numbers
the last campfire screenshot showing the protagonist talking to a giant frog
Can't wait for the No Man's Sky dev's new game Light No Fire? Well, its latest and much smaller game is $1.49 in the Steam Spring Sale 2025