So, here we are. AI has been quietly creeping into our lives for decades—ranking which pages come up in search engines, recommending our next TV binge, predicting our shopping habits, and creating our playlists. It was only a matter of time before it found its way into our beloved tabletop games. And guess what? It’s not just visiting. AI’s putting its feet up, raiding the fridge, and asking if you’ve got room for one more at the table.

For some, this is the dawn of a new era, full of promise and possibilities. For others, it feels like the apocalypse just showed up, trampling over artists and writers with a smug grin. And let’s be real—there’s a lot to unpack here. Because whether you like it or not, AI is both upending peoples' lives and identities, while also ushering in vast new possibilities that can be tremendously positive. So, what does this all mean for game masters, players, and the stories we love to tell? Spoiler alert: it’s complicated.

The Good, the Bad, and the Algorithm

AI entering the world of TTRPGs isn’t all sunshine and roses, but it’s not the end times either. Think of it like finding a sentient artefact—there’s potential for glory, sure, but also a chance that the artefact controls your character rather than the other way around. Let’s start with the bright side.

The Good: AI takes a lot of the burden off a GM’s shoulders. It can quickly generate plot ideas, create detailed NPC concepts, and remember those recurring characters or details your players get attached to. This lets GMs focus on weaving the story instead of getting bogged down in small details, and ultimately makes it more likely that GMs won't cancel game night due to not having enough time to prepare.

One of the most practical benefits is automated transcription and summarization. Nobody wants to sit at the table acting as a stenographer. AI captures what happens during sessions and creates clear summaries, letting GMs and players focus on the game without worrying about forgetting important moments. In this use case, it isn't replacing human careers or threatening our identity, it is just offering an option to reduce the gruntwork GMs are often burdened with.

AI also offers a way to curate ideas and options without taking away control. It can present encounter suggestions or plot hooks, but the GM still makes the final call. It’s like having an assistant who’s ready with ideas while you decide what works best.

When it comes to visual elements, GMs have long turned to the internet for whatever art they could find. And guess what? They haven't checked in with the artist to get explicit permission, nor do they commission art for every custom monster, item, and npc. Using AI for images in home games is actually an ethical improvement for many GMs, and it gives more creative control to them as well.

The Bad: The concerns about AI in TTRPGs aren’t just knee-jerk reactions—they’re rooted in genuine fears about losing what makes these games special. Relying too heavily on AI runs the risk of stripping away the personal touch that makes every campaign unique. Handcrafted narratives can become formulaic if they lean too much on algorithms that churn out generic plots or predictable twists. A campaign driven entirely by AI risks sounding like it was put together by a machine that’s good at following patterns but not at capturing nuance or emotion.

There’s also the fear that AI could flatten the creative process. Writing a compelling storyline or building an immersive world requires more than connecting narrative dots—it’s about bringing in those imperfections, those unexpected quirks that emerge when a GM is improvising or reacting in the moment. Overuse of AI might replace those subtle human choices with calculated logic, robbing stories of the spontaneity and emotional depth that resonate most with players.

And then there’s the question of originality. If everyone’s using AI-generated content, there’s a worry that campaigns could start looking and feeling the same. We could end up with a sea of campaigns that are technically polished but lack the diversity of ideas that comes from individuals bringing their own perspectives and creative instincts to the table.

So yes, AI can be a valuable tool, but over-reliance on it risks turning a living, breathing game into something more mechanical and less meaningful. The challenge isn’t just about what AI can do—it’s about knowing when to let it help and when to trust your own instincts to create something truly original and human. It’s recognizing it as a tool and using it to inform your decisions, not dictate them.

Why This Feels So Personal

It’s not just a technological shift; it’s a cultural one. Being a game master, an artist, a storyteller—it’s all deeply personal. For years, TTRPGs have been about gathering around a table (virtual or not), sharing laughs, and creating something unique together. AI stepping into this space feels like an invasion for many because it’s not just any tool—it’s a tool that encroaches on what’s been considered sacred ground.

Creativity is intimate. It’s that messy, beautiful process of coming up with new worlds, characters, and stories. Suddenly sharing that creative space with an algorithm feels… well, invasive. And it’s not surprising that some folks aren't just opting to not use AI, but going much further and ostracizing people who don't share their beliefs. They want to protect the craft they’ve built over years of coffee-fueled late-night prep sessions, painstacking training in visual art and design, and stacks of notebooks brimming with scribbled ideas.

So how do we navigate this? Simple: use AI wisely, but don’t let it run the show. Let it handle the work that you don't want to handle, whatever that may be. Use it to do things that, in the absense of AI, wouldn't get done at all. Don't use it as a substitute for situations where you would otherwise be paying an artist a commission. And this may sound obvious but... read the room--if your players don't like AI, don't use it!

Moving Forward with Grace and Humanity

Instead of drawing lines in the sand, maybe it’s time for a little grace. People aren’t just resisting technology for the sake of it—they’re fighting to preserve what they love. And that’s worth respecting. And on the other hand, people aren't using AI in their home games to put artists out of a job, they're trying to bring joy to their table. And that too is worth respecting.

So where does that leave us? Probably somewhere in the middle—figuring out how to balance old-school creativity with new-school efficiency. The truth is, AI won't ruin your game unless you let it. It’s just the overly eager intern who’s trying a little too hard to impress. Sometimes it’ll suggest a brilliant plot twist, sometimes it will share a bad idea that in turn sparks a good one, and sometimes it’ll offer an idea that’s as useful as a screen door on a submarine.

The point isn’t to blindly embrace or reject AI. It’s to find the balance that works for you and your table. Some GMs will use AI for every little detail, while others won’t touch it with a ten-foot pole. And that’s okay. There’s no single “right” way to adapt to this shift.

What really matters is that we treat each other with a bit of kindness while we figure it all out. Because at the end of the day, we’re all just trying to craft great stories and spend time with our friends.
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If you're into AI and TTRPGs, or curious to learn about how or if it can improve your game, I'd love for you to check out the AI-powered toolkit for game masters that I'm building: