The CEO of Grand Theft Auto 6‘s parent company has again expressed his views on AI, saying it will “undoubtedly be a good thing.” Generative AI has taken the gaming industry by storm, and Take-Two boss Strauss Zelnick has not been shy about commenting on the controversial technology, often acknowledging both sides of the issue. While Grand Theft Auto 6 may be GenAI-free, it’s seeming like future Take-Two properties will take full advantage of AI.
Now that the twice-delayed release of what will likely be the biggest game of the year is approaching, all eyes have turned to Rockstar and its parent company. It’s all but guaranteed that a GTA 6 release update is coming soon, with Take-Two’s latest earnings call scheduled to take place in May. Recent trends suggest any word on the launch will only reaffirm the November 19, 2026, target, but many fans are still waiting with bated breath. In the meantime, the head of Take-Two has offered some insight into what may drive the company’s future.
Take-Two CEO Makes Bold Claim About Grand Theft Auto 6
With the release of Grand Theft Auto 6 now just eight months away, Take-Two CEO Strauss Zelnick makes a bold claim about the highly anticipated title.
Take-Two CEO Says AI “Can Be Used for Evil” but Will Ultimately Create More Employment
Speaking at Semafor World Economy 2026, Zelnick said people “spend too much time talking about the ‘woe is me’ risk related to AI” when the technology’s growth is inevitable and ultimately beneficial. While the CEO did acknowledge that it’s possible to use AI “for evil purposes” and even called out Elon Musk for his comments on GTA 6 and AI, he compared the technology to previous innovations in computers. According to Zelnick, AI may create some initial job displacement but will produce more employment in the long term as it boosts productivity, in turn boosting the national economy, as earlier advances have done.
These views echo what some other industry leaders have expressed. In late 2025, Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2‘s director defended AI in development, saying that resisting the technology would be comparable to the textile industry resisting sewing machines. Similarly, Zelnick pointed out how devs today save a lot of time through tools that generate grass textures instead of having to draw them by hand and said that AI would do the same thing “on steroids.” To this point, the CEO asserted that Take-Two employs more people than ever and that its artists will perform higher-quality work instead of being out of work as AI grows.
Interestingly, the gaming giant has not avoided job cuts amid its growing emphasis on AI, but not in the way that many might expect. In early April, news broke that Take-Two had laid off its Head of AI and multiple other AI team members, potentially even the entire department. Zelnick did not comment on these layoffs during his Semafor World Economy speech, but they highlight an apparent disconnect in the company’s stance on the technology, with statements about being “all in” on AI coming at the same time that Take-Two reduces its AI-specializing staff.
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While the future of Take-Two and how it will use AI may be uncertain, its CEO has repeatedly expressed optimism about the technology, while also reassuring fans it has no part in GTA 6‘s content. Its broader impact on the industry is likewise unclear, as claims of greater efficiency stand face-to-face with EA devs saying mandated AI tools have hurt development by generating work that requires significant cleanup. It’s an interesting time for the industry, the effects of which likely won’t become clear until years down the road.
- Released
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November 19, 2026
- ESRB
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Rating Pending – Likely Mature 17+
