TL;DR
Games Workshop has prohibited employees from using AI to produce content or in its design workflows, while permitting a small number of senior managers to investigate the technology. CEO Kevin Rountree framed the move as a cautious internal policy aimed at protecting intellectual property, creators and data security.
What happened
During a presentation of the company’s financial results, CEO Kevin Rountree set out an internal policy that forbids Games Workshop staff from using generative AI to create content or as part of its design processes. He said a handful of senior managers are being allowed to explore the technology but that none of them are currently particularly enthusiastic about it. The policy also bars unauthorised use of AI externally, including in competitions, and the company says it must monitor AI tools from a data compliance, security and governance standpoint. Rountree emphasized the firm’s continued investment in human creative roles — citing hires across concepting, art, writing and sculpting within its Warhammer Studio — and stressed a commitment to safeguard the company’s intellectual property and respect for human creators.
Why it matters
- Signals a major tabletop entertainment company prioritizing human-led creative production over immediate adoption of generative AI.
- Sets expectations for employees and partners about acceptable use of AI in design and official content tied to high-value IP.
- Highlights concerns around data security, governance and intellectual property that are shaping corporate AI policies.
- Positions Games Workshop against peers in parts of the entertainment industry that are publicly embracing AI-driven workflows.
Key facts
- The announcement came during a financial results presentation by CEO Kevin Rountree.
- Games Workshop prohibits staff from using AI to generate content or in the company’s design processes.
- A small number of senior managers are allowed to continue experimenting with AI.
- The policy explicitly disallows unauthorised use of AI outside the company, including in competitions.
- The company cited the need to monitor AI for data compliance, security and governance issues.
- Games Workshop said it is continuing to hire creatives for its Warhammer Studio across multiple disciplines.
- The company owns Warhammer 40,000 and Age of Sigmar and sells miniatures, box sets and related creative products.
- The move contrasts with some entertainment companies and game publishers that have publicly embraced AI tools.
What to watch next
- Whether Games Workshop extends the ban to external partners and licensed merchandise creators (not confirmed in the source).
- How the company enforces the policy across its global teams and shops (not confirmed in the source).
- Any future updates if senior managers’ experimentation yields actionable guidance or policy changes (not confirmed in the source).
Quick glossary
- Generative AI: Software that produces text, images, audio or other content from prompts using machine-learning models.
- Intellectual property (IP): Legal rights that protect creations such as artwork, stories, designs and trademarks.
- Design process: The sequence of creative and technical steps used to develop products, artwork or other creative outputs.
- Data governance: Policies and controls that ensure data is managed securely, compliantly and consistently within an organization.
Reader FAQ
Has Games Workshop banned all employees from using AI?
The company has prohibited staff from using AI to generate content or in its design processes, while permitting a small number of senior managers to investigate the technology.
Why did the company implement this policy?
Executives cited the need to protect intellectual property, respect human creators and manage data compliance, security and governance risks.
Does the ban affect competitions or external uses?
The policy disallows unauthorised AI use outside Games Workshop, including in competitions, according to the CEO.
Will Games Workshop change course and adopt AI broadly?
Not confirmed in the source.
WARHAMMER 40,000: 500 WORLDS Warhammer Maker Games Workshop Bans Its Staff From Using AI in Its Content or Designs, Says None of Its Senior Managers Are Currently Excited About the…
Sources
- Games Workshop bans staff from using AI
- IGN – Warhammer's Games Workshop prohibits AI content and design …
- Games Workshop bans AI use in its designs, celebrates …
- Games Workshop bans AI in their design process to protect …
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