Generative AI has been a very controversial topic in the world of gaming, with many studios beginning to use the technology, and others being met with backlash from the gaming community for implementing it. In recent months, Larian Studios was criticized for stating it would use generative AI to create concept art for the upcoming Divinity title. In the latest turn of events, the gaming behemoth Take-Two, the publishing company behind games like Grand Theft Auto and Borderlands, laid off multiple members of its AI team that was started in 2025.
Take-Two has had an interesting relationship with AI. Over the past year, CEO Strauss Zelnick stated the team is dedicated to using generative AI. At the same time, the CEO openly criticized the use of the technology in game development. Despite the wishy-washy relationship with the technology, Take-Two has had a team dedicated to the use of AI since early 2025.
Take-Two AI Team Members Laid Off
On April 2, 2026, Luke Dicken, the now former head of AI for Take-Two Interactive posted about the layoffs. “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.”
Dicken formed an AI team at Zynga before the mobile game studio was purchased by Take-Two in 2022. Since then, he was promoted to head of AI at Take-Two Interactive in 2025. The post shows that Dicken’s time at the studio has come to an end along with an unspecified number of colleagues involved with the AI team.
“I will take the time in a week or so to make a more reflective post on my time with Zynga and T2, but for right now, I would appreciate your help in finding these awesome talented folks new positions.” While there is no confirmation about how many people have been laid off, the post eludes to a large chunk of the division being erased.
There has been no official word from Zelnick or any member of the Take-Two team, but this is far from the first wave of layoffs we have seen in recent months. Just recently, Dark Outlaw Games was closed down after being open for only one year.
