Nintendo president comments on Gen AI

Nintendo recently held its shareholders question and answer sessions and there were plenty of questions from eager shareholders. One of those addressed to Nintendo president Shuntaro Furukawa were his thoughts on Gen AI. Mr. Furukawa said that there are various issues with gen AI including environmental issues and copyright issues. From what he said it doesn’t seem as though he’s a fan of the technology. Here’s what was said via machine translation:

Question: There are various issues surrounding generative AI. Some generative AI systems have been developed using illegally obtained training data, including unauthorized learning. I would like you to state clearly that you will not use such systems. Please explain your approach to AI and how you are working with it.

Answer: Regulations are advancing in various countries, and we comply with the laws in each jurisdiction. As for generative AI, Nintendo has long used AI-like technologies in game development, such as programs that control enemy character behavior. However, the generative AI that has become a major topic in recent years comes with many challenges, including issues related to power consumption. As a company, we carefully assess these technologies and take appropriate action to ensure that they do not infringe on intellectual property rights.

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