The gaming industry has experienced a significant rise in the integration of AI technologies over the past year, with applications spanning various sectors such as marketing, asset creation, and game development. One platform at the forefront of leveraging new AI technologies is Roblox. Through user-generated content, Roblox is harnessing multiple forms of AI to provide its creators with enhanced creative freedom and seamless connectivity.
To delve deeper into this, we had a conversation with Roblox’s chief scientist, Morgan McGuire, to explore how AI is empowering Roblox’s community of developers, ranging from generative AI for avatar and texture creation to code assistance and real-time AI chat translation. McGuire also sheds light on the ethical use of AI as a creative supplement rather than a substitute and offers insights into the platform’s future direction.
PocketGamer.biz: You transitioned from Nvidia to Roblox. What prompted this move, and what does your role as Chief Scientist entail on a daily basis?
Morgan McGuire: My lifelong ambition is to leverage science and engineering to facilitate the creation of beautiful 3D worlds.
Roblox presents an excellent opportunity for this endeavor. We empower millions of creators and tens of millions of players worldwide on a daily basis. Being part of Roblox allows me to make a meaningful impact in various creative domains, spanning from professional-level monetized creations to those by hobbyists and students. I have held diverse roles at the company, currently spearheading our AI, research, and open-source initiatives. This diversity enables me to collaborate with cross-functional teams within the company to enhance our platform and foster mutual learning.
This is a revolution in human communication
Morgan McGuire
You mentioned leading AI research at Roblox. Can you elaborate on how Roblox incorporates AI and the specific areas where it is employed?
Roblox applies AI in three key areas. Firstly, in ensuring safety by curating content and interactions to align with individual user profiles and regional regulations.
We also leverage AI to enrich communication. For instance, we have implemented natural language translation, enabling real-time multilingual messaging without the need for external translation tools, fostering global connectivity. This marks a transformative shift in human communication dynamics.
Furthermore, we have ventured into comprehensive 4D creation with tools like avatar auto-setup, texture generation, code assistance, and the Roblox assistant. These tools empower users to unleash their creativity on the platform without constraints.
Could you provide insights into the recent advancements with Roblox’s GenAI? How are these AI-driven features like 3D avatar creation, chat translation, and code assistance made accessible to all users, and how do you ensure their accuracy through monitoring?
Accuracy in creation can be assessed through user satisfaction with the tool’s output and alignment with their initial vision. At Roblox, we have invested heavily in developing Generative AI tools that are controllable, allowing creators to achieve desired outcomes while maintaining creative intent.
In the realm of arts involving natural media, unexpected outcomes often fuel creativity. Similarly, our GenAI tools aim to strike a balance between control and controlled chaos, stimulating interactive and exploratory creation experiences. Our success metrics for GenAI span from tracking developer acceptance rates to engaging in ongoing dialogue with the creator community to solicit qualitative feedback, ensuring tool effectiveness.
Experienced creators can leverage automation to streamline workflows and enhance quality, enabling them to focus on ideation rather than technical intricacies. This democratizes creativity, inviting individuals with varied skill levels to contribute diverse perspectives to the platform.
Generative AI can really help with the most time-consuming parts of creation and can lift the floor on quality for everyone
Morgan McGuire
What excites you the most about the future possibilities of AI, and what are your projections for the widespread adoption of AI in gaming, given the recent surge in its integration?
My enthusiasm extends beyond 3D creation to the broader realms of science. AI holds promise in revolutionizing various scientific disciplines, from healthcare and biology to space exploration. In entertainment, AI is set to redefine human connections, transcending cultural barriers through innovations like real-time translation and personalized digital personas.
As we witness the transformative potential of AI in gaming, our recent achievements at Roblox hint at a future where unprecedented human-to-human interactions and creative expressions redefine online experiences. The rapid adoption of AI in games underscores the industry’s trajectory towards enhanced user engagement and diverse content creation opportunities.
Lastly, are there any upcoming updates related to Roblox’s GenAI or projects you are currently engaged in within the gaming domain that we should anticipate?
Roblox maintains transparency with its community regarding forthcoming updates and strategic focus areas. Our commitment to collaboration is evident through our publication of research papers, AI models, and open-source initiatives to encourage collective innovation.
At a product level, we communicate our annual objectives at the developer conference, reflecting our openness to public feedback and iterative development. Over the past year, we have introduced 14 major AI-powered releases, underscoring our dedication to advancing AI-driven creativity on the platform. Our future plans are detailed on our blog and creator roadmap, embodying our ethos of transparency and collaboration with the community.
