Take-Two CEO Defends AI Strategy After Dismissing Head of AI, Reaffirms GTA 6 Immune to Automation

Speaking at Semafor's World Economy 2026 event, Take-Two CEO Strauss Zelnick addressed the growing debate around AI in game development — weeks after Take-Two reportedly cut its head of AI, Luke Dicken, along with several other employees tied to the company's artificial intelligence initiatives.

The layoffs had raised questions about whether Take-Two was backing away from AI entirely. Zelnick clarified the company's position: Take-Two is not abandoning AI, but it is drawing a firm line around GTA 6's creative core.

"Generative AI has zero part in what Rockstar Games is building," Zelnick said, emphasizing that Rockstar's recreation of Vice City is being crafted "building by building, street by street" — entirely by human developers.

The CEO was also asked about Google's Project Mariner, an AI agent that can navigate web browsers and interact with on-screen elements. When Google demonstrated the technology, Take-Two's stock fell as investors worried it could threaten game developers. Zelnick said he found that reaction baffling.

"I was kind of stunned by the market's reaction," Zelnick said. "It's quite obvious that creation tools are beneficial for our industry — and quite obvious that they won't produce a Rockstar game."

Zelnick pushed back on the notion that AI tools would allow anyone to "push a button and generate a hit" game on the scale of GTA 6. "The notion that new tools would allow an individual to push a button and bring a hit to millions of consumers around the world — it's a laughable notion," he said.

At the same time, Take-Two is actively deploying AI across its business operations. Zelnick said the company has "hundreds of pilots and implementations" already running, designed to help developers move through repetitive tasks faster.

"Everything we create is created in computers using tools," Zelnick said. "New tools are really exciting for our business. They don't care about lawns anymore — they care about incredible creatures."

On the question of jobs, Zelnick argued that AI will not erase industry employment. "If AI were going to take anyone's job," he asked, "wouldn't it take Elon Musk's first? He works more than anyone I know, and he's the one investing most heavily in AI."

The Semafor appearance came as GTA 6's November 19, 2026, release date appears increasingly locked in. Zelnick confirmed that marketing for the game will begin this summer, with a full-scale campaign expected to follow.