Level-5 CEO Akihiro Hino has issued a detailed response to renewed controversy surrounding the company’s stance on AI in game development, following the resurfacing of older remarks about generative AI use. The discussion has intensified amid broader industry debate over AI-assisted creation, prompting Hino to publicly clarify Level-5’s position and address what he described as significant misunderstandings.
Hino stated that AI is already widely used across game development studios, with the primary difference being whether companies choose to disclose that usage. He emphasized that AI should be viewed as a tool rather than an inherently negative force, pushing back against the notion that its use is synonymous with plagiarism or creative shortcuts. Addressing this comparison directly, Hino said, “AI is sometimes equated with plagiarism, but a knife can be used for cooking and can also be used as a weapon, and computers can be used to create games and commit cybercrimes.”
The CEO explained that the controversy surrounding Level-5 stemmed from comments related to an unannounced project themed around AI. In that context, one programmer had discussed intentionally using AI to generate code as an experiment, which was later interpreted more broadly. Hino stressed that claims suggesting Level-5 relies on AI to write 80 to 90 percent of its game code are inaccurate. He added that such a capability would represent an unprecedented technological leap, noting that the studio has not reached that stage.
Despite this clarification, Hino acknowledged that AI is already delivering meaningful time savings during development. He suggested that these efficiencies could fundamentally alter production timelines, potentially reducing development cycles that currently span five to ten years. While he did not outline specific implementation details, he framed AI as a catalyst for rethinking established workflows rather than replacing human creativity.
Hino also warned against framing AI usage as inherently unethical, arguing that doing so could slow technological progress. He stated, “Depending on how it’s used, AI may be able to produce plagiarized content, but if used correctly, it has the power to enrich the creative world.” He further expressed concern that treating AI as taboo could hinder innovation across the digital creative industries.
Concluding his remarks, Hino reiterated his desire to see games continue to evolve and surpass current standards. He expressed hope that both creators and audiences would recognize AI as a human-directed tool used to create works, not an autonomous replacement for artistic intent. According to Hino, embracing technological change responsibly is essential for the long-term growth of the game industry, and he plans to share these views more formally through Level-5’s development blog.
