Activision has once again confirmed that AI tools were used in the development of Call of Duty: Black Ops 7, which is in keeping with tradition for the franchise, as Black Ops 6 utilized AI tools as well. In a statement, Activision said the creative process is handled by humans, with AI tools helping out. Back in August, Activision explained that developers working on Black Ops 7 used generative AI, but "none of that goes in-game."
"Like so many around the world, we use a variety of digital tools, including AI tools, to empower and support our teams to create the best gaming experiences possible for our players. Our creative process continues to be led by the talented individuals in our studios," the company said.
Black Ops 7 launched today, November 14, and people quickly noticed that a number of Calling Cards that appear to use the "Ghibli-style" anime look, with people theorizing that Activision used AI to create these images.
The Black Ops 7 Steam page discloses that, "Our team uses generative AI tools to help develop some in-game assets." The same exact language is featured on Black Ops 6's Steam page. Activision has not clarified exactly what content in Black Ops 7 was made with the help of AI tools.
An anonymous source within Activision told Wired in 2024 concept artists working on Call of Duty were "forced to use AI to aid in their work." The report added that "a lot of 2D artists" got laid off in early 2024 as part of Microsoft's wider job cuts, though whether or not this had anything to do with AI is unknown.
Activision has said its plan for AI tools is to use them to help "streamline" game development and not replace humans.
If content created at least in part by generative AI tools has made its way into past Call of Duty games, that was "by accident," Treyarch's Miles Leslie said. He may be referring to the multiple instances of AI-generated content in Call of Duty that fans have spotted over the years.
Leslie also stressed that Treyarch's use of AI tools is for efforts that "help the team" but not as a means to "replace any of the fantastic team members" who are building content for Call of Duty.
A survey of game developers globally found that a majority of studios are using AI technologies to build games, despite concerns from workers. Recently, Embark's popular PvPvE game Arc Raiders caused a stir in some circles regarding its use of AI voice lines. Call of Duty's main competitor in the FPS space, Battlefield, returned this year with Battlefield 6, and the developers did not use generative AI. However, a top Battlefield boss said EA's development teams use generative AI in the early development cycle, and the tools are "very seducing."
AI has been a controversial topic in video games and beyond, in part over fears about job losses. Electronic Arts CEO Andrew Wilson has said the rise in AI will lead to job losses in the short term but will ultimately create more jobs total, just like what happened with previous labor revolutions.
Microsoft recently laid off thousands, including deep cuts at Xbox. One affected studio was Candy Crush developer King, with some affected staff saying they were replaced by the AI tools they helped design.
Black Ops 7 is out now for PS5, PS4, Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One, and PC. It's also playable via Xbox Game Pass, and you don't have to pay the new, higher rate, as most major retailers have not adopted Microsoft's 50% Game Pass price hike.
For more, check out GameSpot's Black Ops 7 campaign review and tips for multiplayer in the gallery below.
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"Like so many around the world, we use a variety of digital tools, including AI tools, to empower and support our teams to create the best gaming experiences possible for our players. Our creative process continues to be led by the talented individuals in our studios," the company said.
Black Ops 7 launched today, November 14, and people quickly noticed that a number of Calling Cards that appear to use the "Ghibli-style" anime look, with people theorizing that Activision used AI to create these images.
Loving the Unique style of art they've gone with for these calling cards pic.twitter.com/c583gv4Qpn
— Kume (@Kumesicles) November 13, 2025
The Black Ops 7 Steam page discloses that, "Our team uses generative AI tools to help develop some in-game assets." The same exact language is featured on Black Ops 6's Steam page. Activision has not clarified exactly what content in Black Ops 7 was made with the help of AI tools.
Call of Duty's past use of AI
An anonymous source within Activision told Wired in 2024 concept artists working on Call of Duty were "forced to use AI to aid in their work." The report added that "a lot of 2D artists" got laid off in early 2024 as part of Microsoft's wider job cuts, though whether or not this had anything to do with AI is unknown.
Activision has said its plan for AI tools is to use them to help "streamline" game development and not replace humans.
If content created at least in part by generative AI tools has made its way into past Call of Duty games, that was "by accident," Treyarch's Miles Leslie said. He may be referring to the multiple instances of AI-generated content in Call of Duty that fans have spotted over the years.
Leslie also stressed that Treyarch's use of AI tools is for efforts that "help the team" but not as a means to "replace any of the fantastic team members" who are building content for Call of Duty.
What other developers think of AI
A survey of game developers globally found that a majority of studios are using AI technologies to build games, despite concerns from workers. Recently, Embark's popular PvPvE game Arc Raiders caused a stir in some circles regarding its use of AI voice lines. Call of Duty's main competitor in the FPS space, Battlefield, returned this year with Battlefield 6, and the developers did not use generative AI. However, a top Battlefield boss said EA's development teams use generative AI in the early development cycle, and the tools are "very seducing."
AI has been a controversial topic in video games and beyond, in part over fears about job losses. Electronic Arts CEO Andrew Wilson has said the rise in AI will lead to job losses in the short term but will ultimately create more jobs total, just like what happened with previous labor revolutions.
Microsoft recently laid off thousands, including deep cuts at Xbox. One affected studio was Candy Crush developer King, with some affected staff saying they were replaced by the AI tools they helped design.
Black Ops 7 is out now for PS5, PS4, Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One, and PC. It's also playable via Xbox Game Pass, and you don't have to pay the new, higher rate, as most major retailers have not adopted Microsoft's 50% Game Pass price hike.
For more, check out GameSpot's Black Ops 7 campaign review and tips for multiplayer in the gallery below.
Source