A social media exchange between Elon Musk and Guillermo Rauch has triggered fresh debate over the role of artificial intelligence in large-scale game development.
Rauch suggested that there is a ‘non-zero chance’ AI could allow users to ‘generate your own GTA 6 in a few minutes.’ Musk endorsed the view with a brief response, amplifying speculation around AI’s disruptive potential in gaming.
The claim, however, has drawn skepticism from industry leadership.
Strauss Zelnick, the chief executive of Take-Two Interactive, rejected the premise at the Semafor World Economy Summit 2026.
Zelnick framed the argument through a counterpoint: if AI were capable of eliminating complex roles, it would logically target high-value, resource-intensive positions first.
He pointed to Musk’s own profile, extensive capital, access to talent, and deep involvement in multiple ventures, as evidence that AI has not reached that threshold. Musk’s continued workload, Zelnick implied, weakens claims of imminent large-scale job displacement driven by AI.
The response reflects a broader industry position that distinguishes between automation and creation.
Games like GTA made by Rockstar Games, for example, have multilayered narratives and take years to develop in an interdisciplinary team. Executives believe that such features cannot yet be produced using existing AI technology.
The application of artificial intelligence in game development currently serves only an assistive purpose, helping with coding, asset creation, and testing rather than performing all tasks involved in game development.
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Musk previously stated that he could not participate in Grand Theft Auto V because of its violent content. This statement received strong response from gamers and illustrated just how much of a cultural phenomenon gaming has become.
This conversation shows a growing rift between the optimism about technology and the industry's practicality. As technologies advance, we are still far from the possibility of creating a GTA-like game in minutes.