Take-Two Interactive, the publisher behind Grand Theft Auto VI, has reportedly shut down its internal AI division, signalling a major shift in priorities despite earlier enthusiasm for artificial intelligence.
The development came to light through LinkedIn posts from multiple affected employees, including senior leadership within the company’s AI team.
AI Leadership and Team Let Go
Among those impacted is Luke Dicken, who had been leading AI initiatives at Take-Two since early 2025. In a public post, he confirmed that both his role and his team had been terminated, describing the situation as disappointing and asking for support in helping his colleagues find new opportunities.
Another senior figure, Jason Leon, who served as Senior Director of AI, also shared his departure. He noted that the team had spent years building and applying advanced technologies to real game development challenges, but that “shifting priorities” from upper management ultimately led to the decision.
Several other AI staff members, including researchers and data scientists, also confirmed their exits, suggesting a broader restructuring rather than isolated layoffs.
A Shift in Strategy Behind the Scenes
The move appears to reflect a change in direction at Take-Two Interactive. While the company had previously invested in AI to improve development workflows and efficiency, leadership now seems to be reassessing how, or whether, those initiatives fit into its long-term plans.
This internal shift contrasts sharply with earlier public messaging, where the company positioned AI as a key area of innovation.
Contradiction With the CEO’s Earlier Statements
Take-Two CEO Strauss Zelnick had previously told investors that the company was actively pursuing “hundreds” of AI-related initiatives across its studios. He highlighted the potential for AI to streamline repetitive tasks and free developers to focus on creative work.
At the same time, he made it clear that flagship titles like Grand Theft Auto VI would not rely on generative AI, emphasising the importance of human creativity in game development.
In later comments, Zelnick even dismissed the idea that AI could independently create complex open-world games, calling such expectations unrealistic.
What This Means for GTA 6 and Beyond
The shutdown of the AI team suggests that while Take-Two Interactive may still explore AI in limited ways, it is not currently prioritizing a centralized AI-driven strategy, at least not in the form previously envisioned.
For GTA 6, this reinforces earlier claims that the game will rely entirely on traditional development methods rather than generative AI systems.
Conclusion
The reported closure of the AI division marks a notable pivot for Take-Two Interactive, especially given its earlier optimism about the technology. While AI remains a hot topic across the industry, this move highlights the challenges of integrating it into large-scale game development.
For now, the focus appears to be shifting back toward human-driven creativity, particularly for major titles like Grand Theft Auto VI.
Source(s) Luke Dicken – LinkedIn, Jason Leon – LinkedIn
