Larian Studios Drops AI Art Plans for Divinity but Continues AI Use in Game Development

In response to rising anxieties from fans and significant mixed signals, the developers of Baldur’s Gate 3 have reassured the community that generative AI will not substitute human artists or create final creative outputs. This clarity comes after the studio had earlier admitted to utilizing AI for various internal tasks such as brainstorming, reference materials, placeholder text, and presentation slides. However, this acknowledgment fueled concerns that the studio might be leaning too heavily on AI technologies in game production.

The situation escalated after a Bloomberg interview in December 2025, where comments about “pushing hard” on AI development triggered extensive online discussion. In an Ask Me Anything (AMA) session on January 9, 2026, the studio further clarified the role of AI at Larian, highlighting significant distinctions between its applications and boundaries.

Setting Boundaries on AI Usage in Divinity

During the AMA, Managing Director Swen Vincke made it abundantly clear that generative AI will not play a role in the artistic direction of the forthcoming Divinity RPG. He stated, “There will be no generative AI art in Divinity, ” emphasizing a commitment to traditional artistry.

Vincke addressed the confusion surrounding AI in concept art, noting, “We previously communicated that while we utilize AI tools for concept art exploration, it does not imply that the resultant art is produced by AI.” He recognized the discussions had led to misunderstandings and reinforced the decision to refrain from using generative AI tools throughout the concept art development process.

However, Vincke highlighted that AI will remain integrated into other areas of development to enhance efficiency. He articulated the importance of iteration in the game-building process, stating, “We constantly seek ways to expedite our testing. The more iterations we can perform, the more refined our gameplay becomes.” This experimentation with AI aims to facilitate quicker refinement of ideas, promoting a more focused and productive development cycle.

In games characterized by their dynamic nature—like Baldur’s Gate 3 and Divinity—this AI-assisted iteration can significantly improve testing methodologies. AI can rapidly explore countless unconventional player choices, identifying potential glitches and logic errors that human testers might overlook.

As of now, there is no confirmed release date for the next installment in the Divinity series.

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