Take-Two Interactive Lays Off AI Leadership and Team Members
Take-Two Interactive, the prominent video game publisher behind the highly anticipated Grand Theft Auto VI, has executed significant layoffs within its artificial intelligence division. The company has terminated its head of AI, Luke Dicken, along with an unspecified number of team members, casting uncertainty over its AI initiatives during a crucial phase of game development.
Departures Confirmed Through LinkedIn Posts
The news first emerged through a LinkedIn post by Luke Dicken, who had served as Take-Two's head of AI since January 2025. Dicken previously spent over a decade at Zynga, the mobile gaming company that Take-Two acquired for $12.7 billion in 2022. In his post, Dicken expressed disappointment, stating, "It's truly disappointing that I have to share with you that my time with T2—and that of my team—has come to an end." He requested assistance in finding new roles for his former colleagues.
Several other staff members subsequently confirmed their departures in separate LinkedIn posts, including Take-Two's former director of AI research and two senior data scientists. Take-Two Interactive has declined to comment on these personnel changes, leaving the exact scope of the layoffs unclear.
Seven Years of AI Development Work Disbanded
Dicken revealed that his team had spent seven years developing advanced AI tools designed to support game development processes. Their work encompassed multiple areas:
- Procedural content generation systems
- Machine learning applications for gaming
- Workflow empowerment tools for development teams
Much of this AI team appears to have originated from Zynga's applied AI department before being integrated into Take-Two's broader operations following the acquisition. The dissolution of this established team represents a significant shift in the company's technological approach.
Contradictory Timing Amid AI Promotion
The timing of these layoffs appears particularly unusual given recent corporate statements. Just this past February, CEO Strauss Zelnick told investors that Take-Two was "actively embracing generative AI," highlighting hundreds of ongoing pilots and implementations across its various studios. A senior director from the affected team suggested the cuts resulted from "shifting priorities from upper management," indicating potential strategic realignment.
Zelnick's Historically Cautious AI Stance
Despite recent promotional statements, Zelnick has maintained a more measured approach to AI than many industry peers. He has repeatedly challenged the notion that generative tools could produce blockbuster hits, describing the idea that anyone could push a button and generate the next Grand Theft Auto as "laughable." The CEO also confirmed that generative AI played "zero part" in what Rockstar Games is building for GTA VI, emphasizing that those game worlds are meticulously handcrafted, street by street.
Unclear Implications for Take-Two's AI Future
Whether these layoffs signal a broader retreat from AI development at Take-Two or simply represent a restructuring remains uncertain. However, eliminating the team responsible for building the company's AI infrastructure while GTA VI remains months from release represents a noteworthy strategic decision that industry observers will monitor closely. The move raises questions about how Take-Two plans to integrate AI technologies into future game development pipelines without its dedicated AI leadership team.
