The Progression of AI-Powered Role-Playing: From Ancient Myths to Local 70B Models

In the last few years, the realm of AI-driven character interaction (RP) has seen a remarkable shift. What started as niche experiments with first-generation chatbots has grown into a thriving community of applications, services, and communities. This overview explores the existing environment of AI RP, from user favorites to innovative techniques.

The Rise of AI RP Platforms

Various tools have emerged as favored hubs for AI-enhanced fiction writing and character interaction. These allow users to experience both classic role-playing and more risqué ERP (intimate character interactions) scenarios. Characters like Euryvale, or custom personalities like Lumimaid have become community darlings.

Meanwhile, other platforms have become increasingly favored for distributing and sharing "character cards" – customizable AI entities that users can converse with. The Chaotic Soliloquy community has been especially active in crafting and spreading these cards.

Advancements in Language Models

The rapid evolution of neural language processors (LLMs) has been a primary catalyst of AI RP's proliferation. Models like LLaMA-3 and the mythical "Mythomax" (a theoretical future model) demonstrate the growing potential of AI in producing consistent and environmentally cognizant responses.

AI personalization has become a vital technique for adjusting these models to unique RP scenarios or character personalities. This approach allows for more refined and stable interactions.

The Movement for Privacy and Control

As AI RP has gained mainstream appeal, so too has the need for confidentiality and personal autonomy. This has led to the emergence of "local LLMs" and self-hosted AI options. Various "AI-as-a-Service" services have emerged to meet this need.

Projects like NeverSleep and implementations of CogniScript.cpp have made it feasible for users to run powerful language models on their own hardware. This "self-hosted model" approach resonates with those worried about data privacy or those who simply enjoy tinkering with AI systems.

Various tools have grown in favor as accessible options for running local models, including advanced 70B parameter versions. These more complex models, while computationally intensive, offer enhanced capabilities for elaborate RP scenarios.

Exploring Limits and Exploring New Frontiers

The AI RP community is celebrated for its innovation and determination to challenge limits. Tools like Orthogonal Activation Steering allow for detailed adjustment over AI outputs, potentially leading to more versatile and unpredictable characters.

Some users pursue "uncensored" or "enhanced" models, aiming for maximum creative freedom. However, this sparks ongoing ethical debates within the community.

Niche platforms have appeared here to address specific niches or provide unique 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 look to the future, several patterns are emerging:

Growing focus on on-device and confidential AI solutions
Development of more capable and efficient models (e.g., rumored 70B models)
Exploration of novel techniques like "neversleep" for preserving long-term context
Combination of AI with other technologies (VR, voice synthesis) for more lifelike experiences
Characters like Lumimaid hint at the possibility for AI to produce entire fictional worlds and elaborate narratives.

The AI RP field remains a hotbed of invention, with groups like Backyard AI pushing the boundaries of what's possible. As GPU technology progresses and techniques like quantization improve efficiency, we can expect even more astounding AI RP experiences in the coming years.

Whether you're a casual role-player or a committed "quant" working on the next discovery in AI, the realm of AI-powered RP offers endless possibilities for imagination and exploration.