Wizards of the Coast Announces Ban on AI Tools in Dungeons & Dragons Product Creation

After facing public criticism for the use of generative artificial intelligence (AI) in their artistic works, Wizards of the Coast has released a statement reaffirming their stance on the matter. The statement, published on the D&D Beyond digital platform store, declares that all creative creators working on the Dungeons & Dragons (D&D) franchise will now be explicitly prohibited from using generative AI tools to create final D&D products.

This decision stems from an incident that occurred in August when one of the artists admitted to using AI tools to enhance several illustrations in a new D&D sourcebook. In response, Wizards promised to revise their artistic guidelines to prevent creators from using generative AI. However, the company decided to issue this updated statement to further clarify the situation and address ongoing discussions.

The catalyst for this statement was a recent trailer on the official D&D X account, showcasing artwork for an upcoming rules update for 2024. Fans speculated that the piece, created by Chilean illustrator Nestor Ossandón, may have been produced using AI, suggesting the presence of a bare left hand of a dwarf warrior. Wizards quickly responded, confirming with the artist himself that no generative AI was used in this case.

In their blog post, Wizards emphasized their belief in working with trusted artists and creators from around the world, stating that they are the ones who contribute to the greatness of D&D. This announcement follows reports of layoffs at the company, which affected experienced employees who have contributed to both D&D and Magic: The Gathering.

By implementing the ban on using generative AI tools, Wizards of the Coast aims to preserve the integrity of manually crafted works and maintain the authenticity and artistic vision long associated with the D&D brand.

FAQ

1. What is generative artificial intelligence?
Generative artificial intelligence (Generative AI) is a field of artificial intelligence that involves using algorithms to generate new data, such as images, texts, or sounds.

2. Why did Wizards of the Coast ban the use of generative AI tools?
Wizards of the Coast banned the use of generative AI tools to preserve the authenticity and artistic vision that are characteristic of the Dungeons & Dragons (D&D) brand.

Source
Wizards of the Coast. (2022). Statement Regarding the Use of AI Generative Tools. Dungeons & Dragons Official Website. URL: www.dnd.com.

The source of the article is from the blog krama.net