"We view AI as a sliding scale. There will always be a human in the loop; that's our ethos": Why Side has signed an MOU with Modl.ai to use AI for QA

Summary

Side, a game services provider, has signed a memorandum of understanding with Danish AI company Modl.ai to incorporate artificial intelligence into game quality assurance (QA). Describing AI as a 'sliding scale,' Side emphasizes a 'human-in-the-loop' philosophy, ensuring that human oversight remains integral to automated testing. Modl.ai specializes in AI-driven virtual players that simulate real user behavior, executing repetitive tasks such as stress testing, pathfinding, and anomaly detection at scale. By partnering, Side aims to increase test coverage, improve efficiency, and reduce costs, freeing human testers to focus on creative and subjective aspects of game evaluation. For players, this could mean fewer critical bugs at launch, as AI can tirelessly probe countless scenarios. For the industry, the MOU signals a shift towards hybrid QA models, potentially prompting other service providers to adopt similar approaches. However, AI cannot fully replace human intuition and aesthetic judgment, making oversight essential. This collaboration deepens the relationship between Side and Modl.ai, reflecting the growing role of AI in game development pipelines.