Out of all the characters Sony could have picked to test its AI-powered prototypes, Aloy from theHorizonseries is an interesting, albeit ironic, choice given the games' stories and themes regarding technology, humanity, and their potential coexistence in the future. While reports aboutSony’s leaked AI chat modelshave indicated that only Aloy has been used so far, the company’s ongoing work with AI could mean that other PlayStation characters are next, such as Kratos, Joel and Ellie, or Ratchet and Clank. However, using Aloy first could be Sony’s attempt to capitalize onHorizon’s narrative and counteract ongoing contention surrounding generative AI.
After laying the groundwork for the series' premise inHorizon Zero Dawnwith the mystery of tribal humans and animal-like machines in the post-apocalypse,Horizon Forbidden Westwas able to explore the complicated relationships between technology, nature, and humanity. Rather than the typical depictions of “natural” humans and antagonistic technology, theHorizonseries has shown the good and bad from both sides, something which could work in Sony’s favor. WithHorizonfeaturing AIs like GAIA, CYAN, HEPHAESTUS, and HADES, the decision to create an AI-powered Aloy is potentially the best choice Sony could have made.
An AI Version of Horizon’s Aloy Reflects Her Character and Backstory
Putting aside the risks posed bygenerative AI replacing the talents of Ashly Burchand Peggy Vrijens who brought Aloy to life, an AI copy of Aloy would make sense within the context of theHorizonseries. An integral part ofHorizon’s story and a driving mystery inZero Dawnis the revelation that Aloy - and evenForbidden West’s Beta - is a genetic clone or “copy” of Elisabet Sobeck. Recognizing Aloy’s character arc of self-realization and determination as a clone, Sony’s AI copy of her is arguably a real-world exploration of the same ideas of cloning found inHorizonbut from a new perspective.
Moreover, considering that Aloy has been amongHorizon’s most technologically proficient characters despite her upbringing among the technology-fearing Nora, it’s possible that Sony realized Aloy would be the ideal conduit to introduce players to its AI chat models. Just as Aloy navigated the Nora’s restrictive attitudes and later inForbidden Westbegan working and bonding with GAIA, Sony could be hoping to replicate that same positive change with its AI-powered Aloy. Even the dialogue options between Aloy and GAIA are eerily reminiscent of how current AI models are being trained, with GAIA recounting how she developed through interactions with Elisabet and the Zero Dawn staff.
Sony’s Chat Bots Should Learn And Build From Horizon’s AI
Throughout the events ofZero Dawn,Forbidden West, and including the former’sFrozen WildsDLC, theHorizongames have provided a broad perspective on how AIs can be forces for both good and bad. For instance, despite beingZero Dawn’s and its DLC’s antagonists, HADES and HEPHAESTUS were both created asnecessary subordinate functions for GAIA, while other AI like CYAN have worked alongside humanity instead of against it. However,Forbidden Westtouched on the other side of things with the reveal of Nemesis, another AI that only turned rogue due to its creation and treatment under the Far Zeniths.
Ultimately,Horizon’s nuanced AI narrative could benefit Sony’s ongoing work with its own AI prototypes, such as how its misuse could lead to the Faro Plague, while ethical, responsible, and long-term development of AI could help humanity as seen with GAIA. However, Sony may still need to be careful, especially whenZero Dawn’sFrozen Wildsreferences the “Turing Act” which limited AI’s development after another AI, VAST SILVER, went rogue. With the same uncertainty surrounding legislation regarding generative AI’s development and use,ignoring this andHorizon’s AI lore, story, and themeswith its AI Aloy could backfire on Sony.
