Critical Role's Sam Riegel calls AI the "crap" of art and music.

There is no doubt that artificial intelligence is disrupting several industries as companies look for ways to leverage the technology to reduce costs and optimize output.

But this approach is starting to permeate the creative field, with several studios including AI-generated assets in the final versions of their games, sparking widespread backlash from the anti-AI gaming community.

Few people want to see art readily derived from video games and other creative disciplines, including tabletop role-playing games. There have been minor controversies with both Warhammer 40,000 and Magic: The Gathering, but the tabletop community is much more vehemently opposed to the technology than the video game community, so tabletop companies are very wary of committing to AI.

Critical roles do not use AI

Matthew Mercer looks to the side in this promotional image for Critical Role's fourth campaign.

This opinion is shared by Critical Role co-founder and cast member Sam Riegel. In an interview with ComicsBeat, Riegel discussed the inadequacy of AI for creative industries such as art and music.

“I think it’s basically garbage,” Riegel said. “There are people and artists who use it, like Peter. [Peter Habib, music producer who often works with Critical Role] I'm talking about. But we are not like that.”

Riegel believes that while AI was originally envisioned as something that could eliminate boring aspects of life, companies have tried to apply it to areas where people can actually enjoy their work.

relevant

All characters and voice actors from the large cast of Main Role Campaign 4

There are 13 player characters in Campaign 4, but who will take on whose key role this time?

“But now the new claim from these AI companies seems to be, ‘AI can do that too.’ AI can write and create poetry and music. But that’s what makes us human, so why give that up?” he asks.

This is like asking an AI to play a video game or watch the sunset. Why would we deprive ourselves of the activities that make our lives fulfilling? The answer for businesses is clear. This can save companies money and increase their stock prices.

“Art shouldn’t be easy. That’s what makes it worthwhile. AI was not used in this work and we have no intention of using it in the future,” he concluded.

Critical Role is currently in its fourth campaign, with episode 30 scheduled to air tonight.