Former EA executive David Gardner has shared his perspective on the role of artificial intelligence in game development. In a recent interview, he argued that AI cannot rescue poor development teams or fix fundamental quality issues.
AI accelerates development but not quality
Gardner advocates for small teams combined with AI as a sustainable business model for new intellectual property. He stated that AI and small teams represent the new business model, at least for new IP. He emphasized that developers should start small, build a community, generate cash flow, and then scale up. He noted that AI agents can help make development more productive, but the core question remains whether the team can deliver quality.
Gardner warned that AI accelerates development but does not guarantee a good outcome. He said AI will get teams to a destination faster, whether that destination is good or bad. As an investor, his job is to assess whether a team can nail the quality, understand what customers will love, and collaborate effectively during the journey.
Gardner compared the current AI hype to previous trends such as Web3 and VR. He cautioned that AI is not a cure-all and that the industry should not repeat the mistakes of overhyping emerging technologies. The interview was conducted by The Game Business.
Source: Ex, Insider Gaming
