The Progression of AI-Powered Interactive Storytelling: From Ancient Myths to Local 70B Models
In the past decade, the world of AI-driven character interaction (RP) has seen a significant evolution. What began as experimental ventures with first-generation chatbots has grown into a thriving community of tools, resources, and user groups. This overview examines the current landscape of AI RP, from user favorites to innovative techniques.
The Rise of AI RP Platforms
Various platforms have come to prominence as favored focal points for AI-enhanced fiction writing and character interaction. These allow users to experience both conventional storytelling and more adult-oriented ERP (intimate character interactions) scenarios. Avatars like Noromaid, or custom personalities like Midnight Miqu have become popular choices.
Meanwhile, other websites have become increasingly favored for distributing and circulating "character cards" – customizable AI entities that users can converse with. The Backyard AI community has been especially active in designing and sharing these cards.
Advancements in Language Models
The rapid progression of neural language processors (LLMs) has been a crucial factor of AI RP's expansion. Models like LLaMA-3 and the mythical "HyperVerbal" (a theoretical future model) demonstrate the increasing capabilities of AI in creating logical and situationally appropriate responses.
Fine-tuning has become a vital technique for adjusting these models to specific RP scenarios or character personalities. This process allows for more refined and reliable interactions.
The Movement for Privacy and Control
As AI RP has gained mainstream appeal, so too has the call for privacy and individual oversight. This has led to the rise of "user-owned language processors" and local hosting solutions. Various llama-3 "Model Deployment" services have sprung up to satisfy this need.
Initiatives like NeverSleep and implementations of NeuralCore.cpp have made it achievable for users to operate powerful language models on their own hardware. This "on-device AI" approach appeals to those worried about data privacy or those who simply relish experimenting with AI systems.
Various tools have grown in favor as accessible options for managing local models, including impressive 70B parameter versions. These more sophisticated models, while computationally intensive, offer improved performance for complex RP scenarios.
Exploring Limits and Venturing into New Frontiers
The AI RP community is known for its innovation and determination to break new ground. Tools like Orthogonal Activation Steering allow for detailed adjustment over AI outputs, potentially leading to more dynamic and unpredictable characters.
Some users pursue "abiliterated" or "obliterated" models, striving for maximum creative freedom. However, this sparks ongoing moral discussions within the community.
Niche platforms have surfaced to serve specific niches or provide alternative approaches to AI interaction, often with a focus on "data protection" policies. Companies like recursal.ai and featherless.ai are among those exploring innovative approaches in this space.
The Future of AI RP
As we anticipate the future, several trends are becoming apparent:
Heightened focus on self-hosted and secure AI solutions
Development of more sophisticated and efficient models (e.g., anticipated 70B models)
Exploration of groundbreaking techniques like "perpetual context" for sustaining long-term context
Combination of AI with other technologies (VR, voice synthesis) for more immersive experiences
Entities like Poppy Porpoise hint at the prospect for AI to create entire virtual universes and elaborate narratives.
The AI RP space remains a crucible of innovation, with collectives like IkariDev redefining the possibilities of what's possible. As GPU technology evolves and techniques like quantization boost capabilities, we can expect even more impressive AI RP experiences in the not-so-distant tomorrow.
Whether you're a casual role-player or a passionate "quant" working on the next innovation in AI, the domain of AI-powered RP offers limitless potential for innovation and exploration.