The Evolution of AI-Powered Interactive Storytelling: From Ancient Myths to Local 70B Models
In the past decade, the realm of AI-driven character interaction (RP) has seen a dramatic transformation. What began as experimental ventures with first-generation chatbots has grown into a thriving community of tools, resources, and user groups. This article examines the present state of AI RP, from popular platforms to groundbreaking techniques.
The Emergence of AI RP Platforms
Various tools have risen as popular centers for AI-assisted storytelling and role-play. These allow users to participate in both classic role-playing and more mature ERP (sensual storytelling) scenarios. Avatars like Stheno, or custom personalities like Lumimaid have become community darlings.
Meanwhile, other websites have grown in popularity for distributing and sharing "character cards" – ready-to-use digital personas that users can converse with. The Chaotic Soliloquy community has been especially active in crafting and sharing these cards.
Breakthroughs in Language Models
The swift progression of large language models (LLMs) has been a key driver of AI RP's expansion. Models like Llama.cpp and the fabled "HyperVerbal" (a speculative future model) showcase the growing potential of AI in producing logical and environmentally cognizant responses.
Fine-tuning has become a crucial technique for tailoring these models to particular RP scenarios or character personalities. This method allows for more sophisticated and reliable interactions.
The Drive for Privacy and Control
As AI RP has gained mainstream appeal, so too has the need for data privacy and individual oversight. This has led to the development of "user-owned language processors" and local hosting solutions. Various "LLM hosting" services have sprung up to meet this need.
Projects like NeverSleep and implementations of Llama.cpp have made it achievable for users to utilize powerful language models on their personal devices. This "on-device AI" approach attracts those concerned about data privacy or website those who simply enjoy customizing AI systems.
Various tools have grown in favor as accessible options for running local models, including impressive 70B parameter versions. These more sophisticated models, while GPU-demanding, offer improved performance for complex RP scenarios.
Breaking New Ground and Investigating New Frontiers
The AI RP community is known for its inventiveness and eagerness to push boundaries. Tools like Cognitive Vector Control allow for precise manipulation over AI outputs, potentially leading to more dynamic and surprising characters.
Some users pursue "abiliterated" or "enhanced" models, aiming for maximum creative freedom. However, this sparks ongoing ethical debates within the community.
Niche platforms have appeared to cater to specific niches or provide unique approaches to AI interaction, often with a focus on "no logging" 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 patterns are taking shape:
Heightened focus on local and private AI solutions
Advancement of more sophisticated and optimized models (e.g., anticipated LLaMA-3)
Research of novel techniques like "perpetual context" for sustaining long-term context
Integration of AI with other technologies (VR, voice synthesis) for more engaging experiences
Entities like Poppy Porpoise hint at the potential for AI to create entire virtual universes and expansive narratives.
The AI RP field remains a crucible of advancement, with communities like IkariDev expanding the limits of what's attainable. As GPU technology evolves and techniques like quantization enhance performance, we can expect even more remarkable AI RP experiences in the not-so-distant tomorrow.
Whether you're a curious explorer or a passionate "quant" working on the next breakthrough in AI, the world of AI-powered RP offers limitless potential for imagination and discovery.