In a groundbreaking survey by Google Cloud, it has been revealed that a staggering 87% of video game developers are leveraging artificial intelligence (AI) agents to enhance efficiency and streamline development processes, particularly as the gaming industry grapples with soaring costs and a wave of layoffs.

The report, released on Monday, highlights that developers are increasingly turning to AI to automate repetitive tasks, freeing them up to concentrate on innovative and creative aspects of game development. This move comes in response to the mounting pressures from rising fan expectations and stiff market competition.

Conducted in partnership with The Harris Poll, the study surveyed 615 game developers from the U.S., South Korea, Norway, Finland, and Sweden in the latter half of June and early July.

The findings reveal that approximately 44% of developers are using AI to efficiently process various forms of content, including text, voice, audio, and video, allowing them to make quicker, more informed decisions. However, this reliance on AI doesn’t come without controversy.

Many in the industry are worried about the potential downsides of this technology, including job displacement, intellectual property disputes, and decreasing salaries. The discourse around AI has intensified, especially after Hollywood video game performers staged strikes over AI-related pay concerns, resulting in numerous studios shutting down and over 10,000 job losses.

On a brighter note, industry experts predict a resurgence in gaming this year and the next, fueled by the release of high-demand titles and new gaming consoles, which are expected to spur increased consumer spending.

The survey also uncovered that 94% of developers believe AI will ultimately lower development costs in the long run, despite nearly 25% of them finding it challenging to assess the return on investment from AI integration. The costs related to adopting this technology can be quite high as well.

Additionally, around 63% of developers expressed apprehension regarding data ownership, as the legal landscape around licensing and the ownership of AI-generated content continues to remain murky.