AI was one of the hottest tech topics of 2023. Whether it’s being deployed by Google’s DeepMind to predict harmful genetic mutations, or by ChatGPT to automate everyday tasks, AI is everywhere, an advance that promises to alter our lives in myriad ways.
Forget our human lives for a moment; what about our virtual lives? Alien Worlds is not immune to the charms of AI, on the contrary the technology has been leveraged since the game launched in 2020. From generating eye-catching artwork to enhancing user experience (UX) and managing vast volumes of data, AI has been used every step of the way to advance our multi-chain vision. And as the AI grows more sophisticated, its use-cases are multiplying.
AI-Powered Artistic Exploration
The artistic heart of Alien Worlds is composed of countless content creators (graphic designers, storytellers, video producers) working on the metaverse every day, whether in a salaried capacity at primary contributor Dacoco, as part of the six Planetary Syndicates, or in an individual capacity. But it’s fair to say this artistic heart beats with the help of AI.
Virtually all the captivating artwork you encounter in Alien Worlds – whether it’s the alien races, the mining tools, avatars, minions, buildings, vehicles, or landscapes – owes its existence, at least in part, to artificial intelligence. Innovative text-to-image tools like Midjourney play a pivotal role in transforming imaginative concepts and sketches into optical marvels, with AI complementing the creative talents of individual contributors and helping to scale their vision.
It’s important to understand that for all the gloomy pronouncements made by AI doomsayers, we don’t believe the technology will ever truly replace artists. Rather, AI tools can and are being used to amplify their capabilities. Thus, while imaginative human beings provide the initial spark of inspiration, AI serves as the turbo engine that ramps up their creative output. We don’t see an AI model claiming the Nobel Prize for Literature or the Venice Biennale’s Golden Lion anytime soon – even if an AI-generated image did win a prestigious photography award earlier this year.
The synergy between human creativity and AI’s industrious output helps to generate content on a scale previously unimaginable, something which is clearly helpful when the thing being built is a vast sci-fi metaverse backed by extensive mythology. And there are other use-cases for AI being explored behind the scenes, including LLM-powered NPCs in Alien Worlds games.
We are already witnessing the democratization of content creation within the Planetary Syndicates via the use of AI tools that lower the skill gap required to produce engaging content. With the aid of these tools, virtually anyone can become an artist, storyteller, or even a metaverse game developer: no longer is an extensive background in art, writing, or software development required. All you need is an idea, commitment and passion.
With Syndicates in competition for a greater share of Trilium, it’s little wonder community members have turned to AI to kindle a creative firestorm, generating an enormous amount of content (games, apps, avatar templates) in short order. The Syndicate most likely to emerge victorious is the one that combines the ingenuity of contributors with the unique capabilities of AI.
Beyond Art: AI in Alien Worlds
AI tools can be used to write stories and create fantastical visual tapestries, but aside from functioning as a brainiac creative assistant, what else can they do?
Dacoco has been harnessing AI algorithms and machine learning to enhance user experiences in Alien Worlds since day one. This approach has benefited the entire ecosystem by ensuring users engage with the content that resonates with them.
And Dacoco wasn’t the only one utilizing AI to analyze the vast amounts of data generated by players’ on-chain activities (most of Alien Worlds’ gaming logic runs on blockchain, and it generates 13 million plays each day). In the past, players have themselves employed AI to examine blockchain data patterns and target users with large-scale NFT drops.
AI, in fact, is the best tool for the job if you want to assess and capitalize on the wealth of data generated by on-chain games and apps. In turn, blockchain – or more specifically DAOs – can be used to govern the onslaught of content created by AI.
As AI continues to advance, discussions have begun to center on how we can manage these hugely powerful models and tools. If AI is to become the information filter for much of humanity, how we govern it will be as important as tracking the source of our food. Thankfully, immutable blockchains can act as technological bulwarks against rogue AIs, ensuring the technology operates in a fair and accountable manner. Safeguarding the interests of all metaverse participants is paramount.
As some of the leading technologies of our age, blockchain and AI are intertwining like DNA helices within the evolving Alien Worlds Metaverse, augmenting human creativity, empowering content creators, and boosting user experience. Nothing will ever be the same again.
Alien Worlds offers a truly unique decentralized platform where players are more than mere participants; they're active stakeholders influencing both the present and future of the game. Whether you aim to create services, tools, games, or other platforms, the community stands ready to embrace and utilize them.
Developers, you can access our API toolkit here.
Innovators, breathe life into your project by applying for a Galactic Hubs grant today.
Leaders, step into the Planetary Syndicates and propel your ideas to the forefront of the community.
If you need assistance with any of these endeavors, please visit our official Discord or Telegram channels.