Jason Ronald, Microsoft’s Vice President for the Xbox Gaming Units and Ecosystem division, stated the subsequent technology of Xbox {hardware} can have AI-powered options that will probably be “transformative” to gameplay.
As noticed by The Verge, Ronald shared the information on an episode of the corporate’s official Xbox podcast earlier this week. Whereas speaking about preparations for the subsequent technology of Xbox Cloud Gaming, in addition to the corporate’s next-gen Xbox console, Ronald stated the corporate is working with AMD to design devoted silicon and {hardware} and investing in applied sciences like neural rendering to convey “a brand new stage of high quality” to video games.
He then hinted that AI-powered options are additionally a part of the plan for the subsequent Xbox. “We’re additionally investing in devoted silicon to allow the subsequent technology of AI capabilities, that will probably be transformative in the way you really expertise your gameplay,” Ronald stated.
Whereas there is not a lot details about the brand new Xbox console, Microsoft will “begin experimenting” with a few of these AI-powered options on the upcoming ROG Xbox Ally X machine. In line with Ronald, that is due to the machine having a devoted NPU chip much like Microsoft’s Copilot Plus PCs, that are the corporate’s line of AI-powered PCs and laptops.
Introduced again in June, the Xbox Ally gadgets are set to launch on October 16, as confirmed by Microsoft throughout Gamescom. Talking to IGN, Microsoft and Asus stated the businesses nonetheless want “extra time to determine the macro-economic impression to pricing,” a press release that comes amid wariness round US tariffs. Simply right this moment, Sony introduced a value enhance for the PlayStation 5 within the US throughout ongoing “difficult financial atmosphere.”
Microsoft retains touting AI amid layoffs, issues over Israel utilizing its tech in Gaza invasion
Microsoft has barreled on forward with its plan for generative AI expertise in video games and on Xbox regardless of developer backlash and controversy over its use. And that is not the one controversy it is courted in 2025.
In July, an Xbox spokesperson confirmed to Recreation Developer that “workforce adjustments” have been being made throughout Xbox-owned studios, following a number of stories about redundancies throughout Microsoft. Bloomberg reported that the corporate made 200 individuals redundant at King’s places of work in Barcelona, Spain, whereas different European places of work equivalent to ZeniMax have been additionally impacted. In the meantime, The Seattle Instances reported that Microsoft was shedding 4 % of its whole workforce, which amounted to round 9,100 workers.
On the identical time, Microsoft has been caught in widely-reported ties to the Israeli regime and its army surveillance company, with one of many newest stories written by The Guardian in early August. In an open letter issued by STJV union members at Arkane Studios in France, which is an Xbox-owned studio, the members joined the Palestinian-led Boycott, Divestment, Sanctions (BDS) motion in calling for dad or mum firm Microsoft to finish its help for an Israeli regime {that a} United Nations Particular Committee final yr stated has been waging conflict on Gaza in a means that’s “per the traits of genocide.”
“We predict that Microsoft has no place being confederate of a genocide, and as Microsoft workers, we do not wish to be a part of this sinister undertaking for Gaza. Furthermore, we predict it is our accountability, as tech staff, to boost the alarm, and to make sure that our applied sciences are used to make the voices of the oppressed heard, and never facilitate their demise,” reads the open letter. At Gamescom, throughout an on-record dialog with Grounded 2 recreation director Chris Parker and Eidos Montreal artistic director Justin Vazquez, Recreation Developer requested the previous for his or her ideas on making video games at Microsoft throughout a turbulent interval of heavy layoffs and widespread condemnation over the corporate’s widely-reported ties to the Israeli regime and its army surveillance company.
Two Xbox spokesperson instantly quashed the query by explaining their devs are solely right here to speak about their video games and directed us to succeed in out by way of e mail for touch upon different matters.
Later within the day, Microsoft responded to Recreation Developer’s request for remark by restating plans to undertake a proper assessment right into a report revealed by The Guardian that asserts Azure expertise is at present being utilized by Israeli Protection Forces (IDF) to surveil civilians in Gaza and the West Financial institution en masse.
“The Guardian, on that date, reported that a number of people have asserted that the IDF is utilizing Azure for the storage of knowledge recordsdata of telephone calls obtained by way of broad or mass surveillance of civilians in Gaza and the West Financial institution. Microsoft’s customary phrases of service prohibit any such utilization,” it stated in an up to date weblog submit revealed on August 15. It promised to develop on the corporate’s earlier assessment and that it “appreciates” The Guardian’s latest report.Builders have broadly expressed concern over using generative AI due to its heavy environmental impression and lingering questions over the authorized and moral use of coaching knowledge. Right now Microsoft has not specified simply what these new AI capabilities are, making it troublesome to establish if these issues will proceed.
