The Evolving Influence of AI on Xbox's Future

Haiyan Zhang, the general manager of gaming AI at Xbox, began her DICE fireside chat by highlighting that artificial intelligence has been in development for decades, with early research utilizing games like chess to understand human intelligence. She noted that in recent years, video games have been used as environments to train AI models, citing examples such as Pac-Man and Pitfall. Zhang emphasized that AI has evolved into a set of tools and resources, opening up new opportunities in the gaming industry and beyond. Following the release of Chat GPT in 2022, generative technology has become widespread, and AI has become a topic of discussion among business and government leaders. However, Zhang cautioned against becoming too enamored with the technology, emphasizing that it should be used to support people, not replace them. Regarding game development, she stressed the importance of understanding human needs, finding the right applications for AI, and creating solutions that benefit people. Zhang also discussed the need for responsible AI development, highlighting the importance of accountability, fairness, and transparency. She noted that Microsoft has published guidelines for responsible AI development and emphasized the need for ongoing conversations about the future of AI. For Xbox, using AI means understanding its audience and creating tools to overcome barriers and frictions in the gaming experience. Zhang highlighted that AI is not meant to replace human developers but can augment their work, citing reports that software engineers are developing code 55% faster with AI assistance. Looking ahead, Zhang expressed her desire for a collaborative approach to shaping the future of AI, emphasizing that technology is just a tool, and it is up to people to define its purpose and direction.