Take-Two Lays Off AI Division Head Amid GTA VI Prep

In a surprising move for the gaming industry, Take-Two Interactive, the powerhouse behind Rockstar Games and the upcoming Grand Theft Auto VI, has reportedly parted ways with the head of its AI division. Luke Dicken, who led the team, announced via LinkedIn that his time—and that of his entire team—at the company has come to an end. While the exact number of affected employees remains undisclosed, the exit of a specialized AI unit raises eyebrows given the current industry climate.

Dicken’s team was primarily focused on cutting-edge technology to streamline game development, specifically in areas like procedural content generation and machine learning. For those of us following the industry closely, this development feels a bit counterintuitive. Usually, companies are doubling down on AI to speed up production cycles, especially when a massive project like GTA VI is looming on the horizon. Take-Two, however, has remained tight-lipped, declining to comment on the specifics of the restructuring.

What makes this situation particularly noteworthy is the previous stance of Take-Two’s CEO, Strauss Zelnick. In past discussions, Zelnick has been a vocal proponent of generative AI, famously predicting that the technology would actually increase employment rather than decrease it. He argued that productivity gains would lead to economic growth, which in turn would create more jobs. Seeing the AI division itself get the axe might make some wonder if those predictions were a bit too optimistic, or if the company is simply shifting its strategy toward external tools.

It is important to note that Take-Two has been undergoing various rounds of layoffs over the past year, similar to many other tech giants. While it’s too early to say if this marks a retreat from AI integration, it certainly highlights the volatile nature of the gaming business right now. Even with a projected multi-billion dollar hit like GTA VI just around the corner, even the most "future-proof" departments aren't entirely safe from the chopping block.