Microsoft does not force Xbox studios to use AI in their games

Asha Sharma and Matt Booty defend creative freedom and clear limits in the use of artificial intelligence.

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Following the recent changes in the leadership of Microsoft Gaming, statements are starting to emerge that help us understand the direction the division will take. In an interview with GamesIndustry.biz, Asha Sharma and Matt Booty addressed one of the most debated topics of the moment: the role of artificial intelligence in game development.

The message was clear: there is no obligation from Microsoft for Xbox teams to create AI-based games or to use this technology in their creative processes.

Freedom to decide and limits on “AI slop”

According to Sharma, studios have full autonomy to decide whether to incorporate AI tools into their workflow. It’s not a corporate imposition or a mandatory recommendation. Each team can assess whether it’s useful or not.

The directive, who previously held a position related to AI initiatives within Microsoft, stated that she is in favor of using technology as a positive tool, but with clear limits. Her intention is to avoid the phenomenon known as “AI slop”, i.e., low-quality content generated carelessly with artificial intelligence.

For his part, Booty reinforced the idea that the goal remains to create games made by people. Technology can serve as support in technical or production tasks, but the creative core must remain in the hands of developers.

With these statements, the new leadership of Microsoft Gaming aims to dispel fears about massive automation of development and reaffirms its commitment to quality and the identity of Xbox’s first-party studios.