Games Workshop bans AI use

Boardgamewire reports that Games Workshop bans AI use in its designs, celebrates record half-year results:

He [the CEO] said, “We do have a few senior managers that are: none are that excited about it yet… we do not allow AI generated content or AI to be used in our design processes or its unauthorised use outside of GW including in any of our competitions.”

In the world of tabletop games, Games Workshop often does have a reputation that is not kind, probably worse than Hasbro. So it might feels like a surprise that they actually do the opposite of jumping onto the AI rush. I can see some logic with that: if you want to be so harsh at defending your “IP” better make sure it’s clean, and what the AI-bros told us is that their “Generative AI” output is possibly infringing, and that the output copyright might also be undefensible in court (i.e. to claim it as your own).

Games Workshop are not the only one to take a strong stance. Some smaller publishers also have strong policies: No AI art: Wingspan, Scythe maker Stonemaier Games:

Stegmaier’s announcement that his company “does not, has not, and will not use any form of AI to replace or augment creative work” follows several high-profile instances of AI being used to generate artwork in the board game industry – all accompanied by a sizeable backlash from industry professionals and tabletop gamers.