Konami CEO emphasizes human creativity over AI in game development

On October 18, 2026, Japanese gaming media 'Dengeki ONLINE' reported that Konami CEO Hideshi Hayakawa discussed the impact of AI on the gaming industry. Hayakawa stated that while AI is expected to lower game development barriers, he believes the market environment will not undergo significant changes. He noted that the accessibility of modern game engines and user-generated content (UGC) has already reduced entry barriers. Despite AI's potential to enhance production efficiency, he emphasized that the core of creating engaging and innovative games remains human creativity. Hayakawa highlighted the importance of diverse creators collaborating to spark new gameplay ideas, a process he described as difficult to replicate. He also mentioned that technological advancements should be viewed as opportunities for new interactive experiences, with the company supporting teams in safely integrating AI tools. Hayakawa stressed the need for organizations to help developers assess risks and understand AI's potential. He argued that the 'chemical reaction' between creators is irreplaceable, reinforcing the idea that human input remains central to game development. The company is actively providing resources to ensure creators can adopt new technologies confidently within a controlled environment.