Nintendo's Shigeru Miyamoto says even if gen-AI "were to eventually handle everything, there will always be a role left" for human designers

Nintendo developer Shigeru Miyamoto, who spearheaded iconic titles like Super Mario 64 and The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time, has expressed his belief that even with the advent of generative AI, human game designers will still possess a vital role. Miyamoto, who is set to receive Japan's esteemed Order of Culture award later this year, discussed AI's impact on game production during a recent press conference.

He stated that as technology evolved, designers' true talents emerged and became more prominent. Miyamoto suggested that similar advancements could occur with generative AI, but warned against relying too heavily on the labor aspect of creation, as it could lead to a false sense of accomplishment. He cautioned that AI might replace certain tasks in game production, but human developers would still have the chance to contemplate the essence of true quality in their work.

Miyamoto emphasized that the individual's intent and design purpose are crucial elements that AI cannot replicate. He cited past designs created through simple copying and pasting, which often lacked the unique touch of their creators. Miyamoto concluded by asserting that, despite AI's potential advancements, human designers will continue to play a vital role in the video game industry.