news
GTA 6 LIVE: Take-Two CEO Strauss Zelnick Fires Shots at Elon Musk Over AI
Take-Two Interactive CEO Strauss Zelnick has publicly responded to Elon Musk's comments about generative AI in the gaming industry, joking that if AI was going to take anyone's job, 'the richest man on Earth' would be first.
Key update
Take-Two Interactive CEO Strauss Zelnick has taken aim at Elon Musk over comments made about the use of generative AI in the gaming industry. Speaking at Semafor World Economy 2026, Zelnick addressed Musk's assertions about AI's potential to replace jobs, suggesting the tech billionaire would be 'job number one' for AI to take.
Why it matters
"If AI was going to get rid of employment, the richest man on Earth, Elon Musk, knows a little something about AI, last time I checked," Zelnick said. "He has unlimited financial resources and he has unlimited human resources and he has, apparently, an unlimited number of ideas. He knows his way around AI." Zelnick then joked: "Maybe Elon Musk is indeed a simulation, it's possible. In fairness, if you were going to choose a person who was a simulation, he'd be my number one choice."
What to watch
The Take-Two CEO has been previously outspoken about generative AI, stating that GTA 6 has been entirely handcrafted and that AI should be used to help employees rather than replace them. Take-Two, Rockstar Games' parent company, revealed in February that GTA 6 remains on track for its November 19, 2026 release date, with marketing set to begin this Summer and physical editions confirmed at launch.
Context
Musk had previously agreed with a user on his X/Twitter platform that generative AI could create a tailored GTA 6 experience for individual players before the game actually releases. Zelnick's latest comments further underscore his skepticism of AI replacing human creativity in game development.