id Software's former co-owner says they absolutely would've used gen AI back in the day: 'John Carmack would be like making Skynet or something'

Summary

A former co-owner of id Software has said that if generative AI had existed in the early days, the team would have absolutely used it, joking that John Carmack would be "like making Skynet or something." This comment has reignited debate about AI in game development, especially given id Software's history as a technical pioneer with games like Doom and Quake. The statement stands in sharp contrast to the current climate, where generative AI is blamed for driving up hardware prices, causing layoffs, and sparking copyright disputes, even while some practical uses seem helpful. The former owner's nostalgic take highlights how the pursuit of efficiency and innovation has always driven developers, yet AI also brings unique risks—unpredictability and ethical concerns. For players, AI could create richer, more dynamic worlds, but also risks homogenized content. For the industry, the challenge is to balance productivity with human creativity and address the social costs of automation. This high-profile voice adds another layer to the ongoing controversy over AI's place in gaming, reminding us that technology is a double-edged sword whose impact depends on how it is used and regulated.