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

In the past decade, the world of AI-powered role-playing (RP) has seen a remarkable shift. What began as experimental ventures with early language models has developed into a thriving community of applications, services, and enthusiasts. This article investigates the current landscape of AI RP, from widely-used tools to cutting-edge techniques.

The Emergence of AI RP Platforms

Various tools have emerged as favored focal points for AI-powered narrative creation and immersive storytelling. These allow users to engage in both classic role-playing and more risqué ERP (sensual storytelling) scenarios. Avatars like Stheno, or user-generated entities like Poppy Porpoise have become popular choices.

Meanwhile, other platforms have grown in popularity for distributing and circulating "character cards" – pre-made AI personalities that users can engage. The IkariDev community has been notably active in crafting and sharing these cards.

Advancements in Language Models

The swift evolution of neural language processors (LLMs) has been a primary catalyst of AI RP's growth. Models like LLaMA-3 and the legendary "OmniLingua" (a theoretical future model) demonstrate the expanding prowess of AI in creating logical and context-aware responses.

Fine-tuning has become a crucial technique for adapting these models to specific RP scenarios or character personalities. This process allows for more nuanced and consistent interactions.

The Push for Privacy and Control

As AI RP has grown in popularity, so too has the demand for privacy and user control. This has led to the rise of "private LLMs" and local hosting solutions. Various "LLM hosting" services have sprung up to meet this need.

Endeavors like NeverSleep and implementations of CogniScript.cpp have made it feasible for users to operate powerful language models on their personal devices. This "local LLM" approach appeals to those concerned about data privacy or those who simply relish customizing AI systems.

Various tools have become widely adopted as accessible options for deploying local models, including impressive 70B parameter versions. These larger models, while processing-heavy, offer superior results for intricate RP scenarios.

Pushing Boundaries and Exploring New Frontiers

The AI RP community is celebrated for its innovation and willingness to break new ground. Tools like Cognitive Vector Control allow for precise manipulation over AI outputs, potentially leading to more dynamic and surprising characters.

Some users pursue "uncensored" or "augmented" models, striving for maximum creative freedom. However, this raises ongoing philosophical conversations within the community.

Niche platforms have appeared to cater to specific niches or provide novel approaches to AI interaction, often with a focus on "privacy-first" 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 developments are emerging:

Heightened focus on self-hosted and secure AI solutions
Advancement of more capable and efficient models (e.g., speculated LLaMA-3)
Investigation of novel techniques like "perpetual context" for maintaining long-term context
Combination of AI with other technologies (VR, voice synthesis) llama-3 for more immersive experiences
Characters like Poppy Porpoise hint at the prospect for AI to create entire fictional worlds and elaborate narratives.

The AI RP domain 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 casual role-player or a dedicated "AI researcher" working on the next discovery in AI, the world of AI-powered RP offers infinite opportunities for innovation and exploration.