Fortnite developer Epic Games understands AI fears
Epic Games chief Stephanie Arnette says the Fortnite developer will utilise AI to improve efficiency rather than cut jobs.
Epic Games says it understands growing fears surrounding AI in game development, but insists the technology is being explored as a productivity tool rather than a replacement for developers.
Speaking during a Gamescom Latam panel, Stephanie Arnette, senior external development manager on Fortnite, addressed concerns about the impact AI could have on jobs across the industry.
Arnette said: "I know everyone’s biggest fear is, ‘Oh my god, AI is going to take all our jobs.' That’s not our goal. The goal is to make us more efficient."
According to Arnette, Epic has been experimenting with AI tools internally to help streamline aspects of production, including potential uses in art creation and development workflows. She suggested the technology could reduce the time spent on repetitive or time-consuming tasks, allowing teams to work more efficiently.
She explained: "If the thing that takes you 10 hours to do suddenly doesn’t take you as long, that’s compelling."
AI has become one of the most debated topics in the games industry over the past two years, with publishers and developers increasingly investing in generative AI systems, automated animation tools, and machine-learning technology. Companies including Sony Interactive Entertainment and Microsoft have also discussed using AI to assist development processes.
However, the technology remains controversial among players and developers alike. Critics argue that increased automation could eventually contribute to layoffs or reduce opportunities for artists, writers, and designers.
Arnette acknowledged those concerns but stressed that Epic wants tighter control over how AI is integrated into its pipeline.
She said: "There really is no opening for a partner to try to put their AI info or tooling into ours. It would always be from our direction outward, and not the other way around."
The debate over AI’s role in gaming continues as studios search for ways to reduce rising development costs while maintaining increasingly complex projects.
For now, Epic appears keen to position AI as a support tool rather than a creative replacement, though questions remain across the wider industry about how those efficiency gains could affect jobs in the future.
