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As the gaming public eagerly awaits the next trailer for Rockstar Games’ much-anticipated "Grand Theft Auto 6", Take-Two (the publisher behind Rockstar Games) CEO Strauss Zelnick is making the rounds to speak at assorted events.
Zelnick made a recent appearance for an on-stage discussion at Semafor's World Economy 2026 event. Among the many topics covered during that conversation, the Take-Two CEO gave his thoughts on the usage of generative AI.
Article continues belowZelnick feels AI fears are overblown
Take-Two CEO Strauss Zelnick pushed back against the doom-and-gloom narrative around AI, arguing the conversation focuses too heavily on fear instead of opportunity. While acknowledging that any technology can be used for harmful purposes, he said innovation is coming either way and companies are better off learning how to use it responsibly.
Zelnick also suggested AI could help game developers by taking over repetitive, time-consuming tasks, freeing artists and creators to focus on more meaningful and imaginative work. He used the example of manually drawing grass in a game world, saying AI could dramatically speed up that kind of production work.
When asked whether wider AI adoption could lead to layoffs at Take-Two Interactive, Zelnick rejected the idea that AI replaces creativity. He argued current AI models are trained on past data and don’t truly invent something new making human artists, designers and storytellers more valuable, not less.
Zelnick also shot back at Elon Musk’s lofty claims about AI
Take-Two CEO comments on Elon Musk who previously agreed there’s a chance AI will let anyone generate their own GTA 6, and shares his view on AI’s impact on employment:“If AI were to take anyone’s job, wouldn’t it take his [Elon Musk’s] job? Like the richest guy on earth,… pic.twitter.com/M4Fa6j51uo
Zelnick also took an opportunity to shoot back at Elon Musk’s wild claims about AI being powerful enough to generate its own version of GTA 6.
Here’s the fiery response that Zelnick delivered to Musk: “If AI were going to get rid of employment, the richest man on Earth, Elon Musk, knows a little something about AI, last time I checked. He has unlimited financial resources, and he has unlimited human resources, and he has, apparently, an unlimited number of ideas. He knows his way around AI. The man works 20 hours a day. If AI were going to take anyone’s job, wouldn’t it take his job? The richest guy on Earth, wouldn’t that be job number one for AI to take? Why is he so busy? By the way, why am I working harder than ever despite the fact that I’ve totally accepted AI into every part of my life?”
During an earlier interview with The Game Business, Zelnick said that AI would never be able to create something monumental, smash hits at the level of GTA. "The notion that somehow new tools would allow an individual to push a button and generate a hit, market a hit, and bring it to many millions of consumers around the world — it’s a laughable notion," Zelnick noted. "It’s just never been the case with entertainment."
Bottom line
If we take Strauss Zelnick at his word, Take-Two Interactive and its studios won’t become overly dependent on generative AI — and employees shouldn’t be worried about being replaced by it.
Gamers have already shown strong resistance to generative AI art appearing in titles like Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 and Crimson Desert, so many players are hoping both major publishers and indie developers think carefully before adding it to future releases.
Which brings us to the biggest concern of all: Grand Theft Auto VI better not contain a single ounce of generative AI-created content.
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More from Tom’s Guide
- ‘These tools may help you create assets, but that won’t help you create hits' — Take Two boss says AI can't create games like 'GTA 6'
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