Video game publisher Valve has introduced new rules for how artificial intelligence-generated content will be handled on its popular Steam platform. This comes after months of internal discussion over the emerging use of AI tools in video game development and the potential legal issues surrounding copyrighted training data sets.
Keypoints
- Valve has announced new policies for how AI-generated content will be handled on Steam. Developers will have to disclose what kind of AI tools were used in their games.
- Pre-generated AI content will be allowed as long as it does not include illegal or infringing material. But there are still concerns around copyright issues with training data sets.
- For games with live-generated AI content, developers will have to detail the “guardrails” in place to prevent illegal content from being created. Players can report inappropriate AI-generated content.
- Adult-only sexual content created by live AI generation will not currently be allowed on Steam due to concerns over potential issues.
- Valve acknowledges these policies will likely evolve over time as understanding progresses around AI in games and the legal framework develops.
Under the new policies, game developers submitting titles to Steam will be required to disclose specific information about any AI technology utilized, whether it is for pre-generated assets and content created during development or for elements produced dynamically by AI systems while the game is running.
🚨 Breaking news! 🚨#Steam has officially given the green light for using #AI in game development.
According to their press release, “This will enable us to release the vast majority of games that use it”
Their stance is clear and simple, here’s what you need to know 👇🏼 pic.twitter.com/Zq3KkgelA6
— Emm (@emmanuel_2m) January 10, 2024
Pre-generated AI content such as art, sound effects, dialogue and more will be permitted so long as developers confirm it does not contain illegal or copyright infringing material.
However, Valve does not appear to be directly addressing potential copyright issues related to AI training data itself, which was a major concern raised previously. The onus remains on developers to ensure rights to any copyrighted works used to develop AI systems.
For games using live-generated AI output, creators will need to detail content moderation efforts and “guardrails” put in place to prevent inappropriate or illegal content from being manifested by AI systems.
This comes after incidents involving games that enabled AI to generate disturbing content involving minors. Players will have new options to report any hazardous AI-generated content they encounter.
Notably, Valve states it will not currently allow onto Steam adult-only sexual content produced in real-time by AI tools, though pre-generated adult content remains permissible if it meets legal standards. The company says its difficult to guarantee safety and appropriateness of mature AI content generated dynamically.
The publishing giant says these new AI rules, which include clear labeling of AI usage on store pages, will enable it to approve the vast majority of games leveraging artificial intelligence in some way. However, policies will continue to evolve as understanding of AI technology and related legal boundaries advance.
