'We're actively embracing generative AI,' Take-Two boss says, after previously expressing skepticism: 'We have hundreds of pilots and implementations across our company'

Strauss Zelnick, chairman and chief executive officer of Take-Two Interactive Software Inc., during an Economic Club of New York event in New York, US, on Monday, June 17, 2024. Take-Two Interactive Software, Inc. develops, markets, distributes, and publishes interactive entertainment software games and accessories. Photographer: Jeenah Moon/Bloomberg via Getty Images.

There was a spot of consternation over Google's new AI-powered world builder Project Genie earlier this week: In the immediate wake of the software's announcement, the share prices of a handful of companies, including game engine maker Unity and Grand Theft Auto 6 publisher Take-Two Interactive, took a notable tumble. During today's investors call following its Q3 financial report, however, Take-Two CEO Strauss Zelnick said he's not sweating it, and he's a little confused about why anyone else is.

"The videogame business, since its inception, was built on the back of machine learning and artificial intelligence," Zelnick said during today's call. "We create our games in computers, with technology, and ever since questions began about generative AI about 18 months ago, I've been incredibly enthusiastic about what the future can bring.