Sony isn’t ignoring artificial intelligence, either. Its first-party studios, PlayStation Studios, will adopt the technology as well.
The company has outlined its plans to integrate artificial intelligence across all areas, including game development. During a corporate strategy presentation held alongside the latest financial results, Hiroki Totoki, Sony’s president and CEO, unveiled these plans. Hideaki Nishino, president and CEO of Sony Interactive Entertainment, stated that teams at Naughty Dog, San Diego Studio, and other studios have adopted Mockingbird, a tool that generates facial models from motion capture data. This technology has been used in recent releases, such as Horizon Zero Dawn Remastered. Sony’s studios also use an AI tool for hair animation. Nishino described hair animation as labor-intensive due to the large number of hair strands required.
“AI will make it easier to take on more innovative and ambitious projects that were previously difficult to pursue due to cost and time constraints. A core principle that guides our thinking about AI is that human creativity must remain at the center. AI is a powerful tool, but it is not a replacement for artists or creators. It amplifies human imagination and catalyzes new possibilities,” said Totoki.
Nishino emphasized that AI supports a more efficient production environment and improves discoverability, helping games reach the right audience. He also highlighted the use of AI in Gran Turismo, specifically Sophy, the AI-based racing agent.
“Importantly, we are not replacing human performers; rather, we are optimizing how we process data from these live captures. With Mockingbird, animation work that used to take hours can now be completed in a fraction of a second. Our teams have accelerated this process by filming real hairstyles and using an AI tool to generate a 3D model with hundreds of strands. These practical applications allow our teams to spend less time on manual, labor-intensive tasks and more time building richer worlds and gameplay for our players. The vision, design, and emotional impact of our games will always stem from the talent of our studios and performers. AI is meant to augment their capabilities, not replace them. Furthermore, our world-class creatives have demonstrated their ability to create remarkable prototypes in which NPCs with unique personalities can generate a dynamic, living world for players to explore.
The updated PSSR uses machine learning to improve image quality and deliver 4K visuals at high frame rates. Through our investments in AI and machine learning, we will continue to advance the fidelity frontier. We believe that AI will unleash the creativity of our studios, power a more curated platform, and enhance the PlayStation experience for players and creators alike. With our global player base, extensive library of IP, and integrated ecosystem, AI is a powerful tool for delivering a cutting-edge entertainment experience,” said Nishino.
The spread of this technology can therefore be described as unstoppable.
Source: Gamesindustry, Sony
