The Advancement of AI-Enabled Role-Playing: From Norse Legends to Local 70B Models

In the past decade, the domain of AI-driven character interaction (RP) has experienced a remarkable shift. What started as experimental ventures with first-generation chatbots has grown into a dynamic landscape of platforms, resources, and communities. This overview explores the existing environment of AI RP, from popular platforms to innovative techniques.

The Rise of AI RP Platforms

Various services have come to prominence as popular centers for AI-enhanced fiction writing and character interaction. These allow users to experience both traditional RP and more risqué ERP (intimate character interactions) scenarios. Characters like Stheno, or user-generated entities like Midnight Miqu have become fan favorites.

Meanwhile, other services have become increasingly favored for distributing and sharing "character cards" – ready-to-use digital personas that users can converse with. The Backyard AI community has been particularly active in designing and distributing these cards.

Breakthroughs in Language Models

The accelerated progression of large language models (LLMs) has been a key driver of AI RP's expansion. Models like Llama.cpp and the legendary "HyperVerbal" (a hypothetical future model) highlight the increasing capabilities of AI in generating coherent and context-aware responses.

Model customization has become a essential technique for tailoring these models to particular RP scenarios or character personalities. This method allows for more sophisticated and reliable interactions.

The Drive for Privacy and Control

As AI RP has become more widespread, so too has the call for confidentiality and personal autonomy. This has led to the development of "user-owned language processors" and local hosting solutions. Various "LLM hosting" services have sprung up to meet this need.

Projects like NeverSleep and implementations of CogniScript.cpp have made it achievable for users to utilize powerful language models on their personal devices. This "on-device AI" approach attracts those worried about data privacy or those who simply enjoy tinkering with AI systems.

Various tools have gained popularity as intuitive options for managing local models, including powerful 70B parameter versions. These more complex models, while computationally intensive, offer enhanced capabilities for elaborate RP scenarios.

Exploring Limits and Investigating New Frontiers

The AI RP community is known for its inventiveness and determination to challenge limits. Tools like Orthogonal Activation Steering allow for fine-grained control over AI outputs, potentially leading to more adaptable and spontaneous characters.

Some users seek out "abiliterated" or "enhanced" models, aiming for maximum creative freedom. However, this provokes ongoing philosophical conversations within the community.

Niche platforms have surfaced 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 patterns are taking shape:

Increased focus on on-device and confidential AI solutions
Creation of more sophisticated and optimized models (e.g., rumored 70B models)
Exploration of innovative techniques website like "neversleep" for sustaining long-term context
Integration of AI with other technologies (VR, voice synthesis) for more lifelike experiences
Characters like Euryvale hint at the potential for AI to create entire fictional worlds and elaborate narratives.

The AI RP space remains a crucible of advancement, with groups like Backyard AI expanding the limits of what's attainable. As GPU technology advances and techniques like neural compression improve efficiency, we can expect even more remarkable AI RP experiences in the not-so-distant tomorrow.

Whether you're a casual role-player or a passionate "quant" working on the next innovation in AI, the domain of AI-powered RP offers endless possibilities for imagination and adventure.