The Progression of AI-Driven Role-Playing: From Norse Legends to Local 70B Models
In the past decade, the domain of AI-assisted storytelling (RP) has seen a remarkable shift. What began as fringe projects with early language models has grown into a dynamic landscape of tools, services, and enthusiasts. This article examines the present state of AI RP, from user favorites to cutting-edge techniques.
The Emergence of AI RP Platforms
Various services have come to prominence as well-liked hubs for AI-assisted storytelling and character interaction. These allow users to participate in both conventional storytelling and more mature ERP (erotic role-play) scenarios. Characters like Stheno, or user-generated entities like Poppy Porpoise have become community darlings.
Meanwhile, other services have gained traction for hosting and sharing "character cards" – customizable AI entities that users can engage. The IkariDev community has been especially active in designing and distributing these cards.
Advancements in Language Models
The rapid development of large language models (LLMs) has been a primary catalyst of AI RP's proliferation. Models like LLaMA CPP and the legendary "OmniLingua" (a speculative future model) showcase the expanding prowess of AI in creating consistent and situationally appropriate responses.
Fine-tuning has become a crucial technique for adjusting these models to particular RP scenarios or character personalities. This process allows for more nuanced and stable interactions.
The Drive for Privacy and Control
As AI RP has grown in popularity, so too has the need for confidentiality and personal autonomy. This has led to the rise of "user-owned language processors" and self-hosted AI options. Various "LLM hosting" services have been created to address this need.
Projects like NeverSleep and implementations of NeuralCore.cpp have made it achievable for users to operate powerful language models on their own hardware. This "self-hosted model" approach appeals to those focused on data privacy or those who simply appreciate customizing AI systems.
Various tools have become widely adopted as intuitive options for deploying local models, including advanced 70B parameter versions. These more complex models, while processing-heavy, offer improved performance for elaborate RP scenarios.
Pushing Boundaries and Venturing into New Frontiers
The AI RP community is known for its innovation and determination to challenge limits. Tools like Cognitive Vector Control allow for fine-grained control over AI outputs, potentially leading to more versatile and surprising characters.
Some users seek out "unrestricted" or "augmented" models, aiming for maximum creative freedom. However, this sparks ongoing philosophical conversations within the community.
Focused platforms have appeared to serve specific niches or provide novel approaches to AI interaction, often with mancer 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 developments are becoming apparent:
Increased focus on local and private AI solutions
Creation of more capable and optimized models (e.g., speculated 70B models)
Research of groundbreaking techniques like "perpetual context" for maintaining long-term context
Combination of AI with other technologies (VR, voice synthesis) for more lifelike experiences
Personas like Euryvale hint at the possibility for AI to produce entire fictional worlds and intricate narratives.
The AI RP space remains a crucible of advancement, with communities like Backyard AI pushing the boundaries of what's achievable. As GPU technology evolves and techniques like neural compression boost capabilities, we can expect even more impressive AI RP experiences in the coming years.
Whether you're a curious explorer or a dedicated "AI researcher" working on the next discovery in AI, the world of AI-powered RP offers limitless potential for innovation and exploration.