Live · Reported · 11/05/2026 09:05

GTA 6 and AI: Zelnick says Grand Theft Auto is handcrafted, tools aside

Strauss Zelnick told the Wall Street Journal that Grand Theft Auto is handcrafted while admitting machine-learning tools, according to Insider Gaming.

Sources insider-gaming.com

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Does Take-Two use artificial intelligence on GTA 6? According to Insider Gaming, Strauss Zelnick answered in a Wall Street Journal interview by separating the word "AI" from the computer tools used across the games industry. He also said Grand Theft Auto is "handcrafted".

GTA 6 and AI: Zelnick says Grand Theft Auto is handcrafted, tools aside
Image: viciados.net

What did Zelnick say about AI?

The outlet quotes him: "AI is sort of a mixed term in the video game business, because consumers are taking the position that they don't want to have anything that's called AI involved with their video games." He adds that "Grand Theft Auto is handcrafted", but that nobody should be surprised that games are made on computers with technology. Per the quote, Take-Two has been "in the AI business and machine learning business since the beginning of time" and hopes to make better games more efficiently with these tools.

Insider Gaming stresses that nearly every current game relies on machine learning or similar systems, which does not necessarily mean generative AI producing art, music or voices. Its writer says he will gladly revise his view if someone finds a clear example of generative art in the game.

What had he already said about GTA 6?

The same outlet recalls that Zelnick stated in February that generative AI played no part in GTA 6's development, and that he called the idea of AI making a hit game "laughable" earlier this year. The WSJ remarks do not contradict that: they admit tools, not generated content.

Read also GTA 6: Zelnick points to fifteen franchises to defend Take-Two’s catalogue

The exchange comes from the same appearance covered in our piece on Take-Two's fifteen franchises. Latest on the game is in the journal.

Why it matters

No new information on GTA 6 content. The line stays "handcrafted" with no generative AI, but the CEO acknowledges machine-learning tools in production without naming them. Rockstar published no clarification in the sources consulted.

Sources insider-gaming.com

Reported Reported by the press, not confirmed by Rockstar

By Gabriel Janvier · GTAVIFRANCE newsroom

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