Embark CEO Says AI Helps Developers Work Faster, Not Replace Jobs

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As debate around artificial intelligence in game development continues to grow, Embark Studios CEO and founder Patrick Söderlund has spoken out against the idea that AI threatens game industry jobs. In a recent interview with GamesBeat, the former EA executive addressed concerns about Embark’s use of AI in games such as Arc Raiders and The Finals. According to Söderlund, the real goal is not to replace people, but to help a people-driven industry create and deliver content faster.

One of the main concerns raised by critics involves AI-assisted voice work. Söderlund explained that Embark still works closely with professional voice actors and continues to hire them on a contract basis. At the same time, he believes AI voice tools give the studio more flexibility. These tools allow the team to change dialogue and push updates quickly, without waiting for long recording schedules. This speed, he says, makes it easier to improve live games and respond to player feedback in real time.

Söderlund also stressed that AI is mainly used to handle routine and repetitive tasks. By automating this kind of work, Embark can free developers to focus on more creative and meaningful parts of game development. This includes gameplay design, storytelling, and solving complex technical problems. His aim is to remove slow and boring tasks so teams can spend more time on work that needs human judgment and creativity.

He pointed to The Finals as a clear example of this approach in action. Since launch, the free-to-play shooter has received large weekly updates, a pace Söderlund says would not be possible using older development methods alone. While AI helps support this speed, he made it clear that success still depends on strong technology choices and talented developers. He rejected the idea that games could ever be made fully by machines, stating that people remain at the center of the process.