Microsoft's recently appointed head of gaming, Asha Sharma, has addressed industry unease about her tech-heavy résumé and the role of artificial intelligence in games. Sharma told stakeholders she is committed to preventing low-quality AI from reaching players while applying her engineering experience to support studios and creators.

  • Sharma confronted concerns that her background in AI could lead to an influx of cheap or ill-considered automated systems in games, and said she will hold teams to high quality standards.
  • She acknowledged that she lacks a long history in gaming-specific positions but argued that her technical expertise is an asset for modern development challenges.
  • Microsoft appears focused on balancing innovation with player expectations, signaling oversight rather than unfettered experimentation with generative tools.
  • Sharma emphasized collaboration with internal studios and external partners to ensure any AI-driven features meet creative and ethical benchmarks.

As the industry watches, Sharma’s approach will be judged by how well she curbs low-quality AI implementations while fostering meaningful technological advances that benefit players and developers alike.

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Source: Eurogamer