Generative AI is a “virulent plague” and even using it to eliminate “drudgery” has downsides, reckons long-time Dragon Age lead writer David Gaider
David Gaider, the veteran lead writer of the Dragon Age series, has criticized generative AI in game development, calling it a “virulent plague” that is fundamentally “not ready for prime time.”
Speaking to GamesRadar, Gaider expressed serious concerns about AI adoption in studios, even when proposed as a solution for handling mundane, repetitive tasks. While executives have often framed generative AI as a tool to eliminate drudgery and boost efficiency, Gaider argues this approach carries substantial downsides that extend beyond simple productivity gains.
His primary concern centers on developer education and craft mastery. Gaider emphasized that relying on AI systems could inhibit experienced developers’ ability to mentor and teach less experienced colleagues the nuances of game writing and design. This threatens to break knowledge-transfer chains essential to developing a skilled workforce.
Gaider also raised critical questions about data sourcing and system transparency. He questioned why development teams would adopt systems that “nobody on your team really knows how they work,” highlighting risks of deploying technology with unclear training data sources. This opacity could expose studios to legal, ethical, and creative complications.
While acknowledging potential efficiency gains, Gaider argued that the costs to developer education, institutional knowledge, and system accountability outweigh current benefits, making widespread AI adoption premature.