Take-Two Reportedly Laid Off Entire AI Division Team

Recommended products

This page contains affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate, we earn a commission from purchases made through these links.

Music Software Bundle for Recording, Editing, Beat Making & Production - DAW, VST Audio Plugins, Sounds for Mac & Windows PC

$28.95

MixPad Free Multitrack Recording Studio and Music Mixing Software Download

$0.00

Amidst an industry-wide push for integrating artificial intelligence into development processes, Take-Two Interactive, the parent company of Rockstar Games and 2K, has shut down its dedicated AI department. Former division director Luke Dicken confirmed the layoff via a LinkedIn post. The exact date is unclear, though reports indicate it occurred around April 3, 2026. Dicken, who was also among those let go, had previously built an AI team at Zynga before its acquisition by Take-Two in 2022. He subsequently advanced to Senior Director of AI at Zynga, and in 2025 became Head of AI for Take-Two. His LinkedIn announcement expressed disappointment and appealed to his network to assist in recruiting his former colleagues. Dicken emphasized the expertise of his team, who for seven years had developed advanced technologies for video game development, including procedural content generation, machine learning, and infrastructure development. According to Dicken, these systems enhanced efficiency throughout the development process. The number of employees affected beyond Dicken remains unspecified. This decision follows Take-Two’s closure of Intercept Games, the developer of Kerbal Space Program 2, in 2024, as well as a 5% reduction in its global workforce—cost-cutting measures aimed at saving $165 million.

Layoffs at Take-Two Amidst Anticipated Release of Grand Theft Auto VI in 2026 Contrast CEO’s AI Job Creation Vision

These cuts at Take-Two come as the company is anticipated to release Grand Theft Auto VI in November 2026. Take-Two CEO Strauss Zelnick has publicly stated his belief that AI will foster job creation through increased productivity and economic growth, rather than diminish employment.

In Case You Missed It

Ever found yourself curious about the latest gaming trends? Well, you’re in luck! First up, Jonathan Dubinski takes a deep dive into Take-Two Interactive CEO Strauss Zelnick’s confidence that GTA 6 will appeal to all gamers aged 17 and above. Published on March 20th, his insightful post “Anyone Over 17 Wants to Play GTA 6” Anyone Over 17 Wants to Play GTA 6 explores Zelnick’s interview with The Game Business and shares exciting insights on how Rockstar Games plans to captivate a wide audience. And speaking of captivating audiences, Marcus Thompson has revealed Square Enix as the top publisher of 2025 in his latest piece published on March 26th! In “Square Enix Top Publisher of 2025” Square Enix Top Publisher of 2025, he delves into Metacritic’s ranking, shining a light on their success with hits like Final Fantasy VII Rebirth and Octopath Traveler 0. But wait, there’s more! With the recent PlayStation 5 price hike, Ahmed Hassan explores how this might impact GTA 6 sales in his analysis published on March 30th. In “GTA 6 Won’t Sell PS5 at €599, Analyst Says” GTA 6 Won’t Sell PS5 at €599, Analyst Says, he examines the potential effects of economic shifts on consumer behavior. So grab your gaming helmets and dive into these fascinating reads!