The Progression of AI-Powered Role-Playing: From Ancient Myths to Local 70B Models

In recent years, the domain of AI-powered role-playing (RP) has seen a remarkable shift. What started as niche experiments with early language models has grown into a vibrant ecosystem of tools, resources, and enthusiasts. This piece explores the current landscape of AI RP, from user favorites to innovative techniques.

The Rise of AI RP Platforms

Various tools have risen as popular focal points for AI-enhanced fiction writing and character interaction. These allow users to engage in both conventional storytelling and more mature ERP (sensual storytelling) scenarios. Characters like Euryvale, or original creations like Midnight Miqu have become fan favorites.

Meanwhile, other websites have gained traction for distributing and sharing "character cards" – customizable AI entities that users can interact with. The Backyard AI community has been particularly active in designing and spreading these cards.

Advancements in Language Models

The swift development of advanced AI systems (LLMs) has been a primary catalyst of AI RP's growth. Models like Llama.cpp and the fabled "Mythomax" (a theoretical future model) demonstrate the expanding prowess of AI in generating consistent and environmentally cognizant responses.

AI personalization has become a crucial technique for tailoring these models to particular RP scenarios or character personalities. This approach allows for more refined and consistent interactions.

The Push for Privacy and Control

As AI RP has become more widespread, so too has the call for data privacy and individual oversight. This has led to the rise of "private LLMs" and local hosting solutions. Various "LLM hosting" services have been created to satisfy this need.

Initiatives like Undi and implementations of Llama.cpp have made it possible for users to utilize powerful language models on their personal devices. This "on-device AI" approach appeals to those focused on data privacy or those who simply appreciate experimenting with AI systems.

Various tools have gained popularity as intuitive options for deploying local models, including impressive 70B parameter versions. These more sophisticated models, while GPU-demanding, offer enhanced capabilities for elaborate RP scenarios.

Exploring Limits and Exploring New Frontiers

The AI RP community is celebrated for its innovation and determination to challenge limits. Tools like Orthogonal Activation Steering allow for detailed adjustment over AI outputs, potentially leading to more dynamic and surprising characters.

Some users seek out "abiliterated" or "obliterated" models, targeting maximum creative freedom. However, this raises ongoing philosophical conversations within the community.

Niche tools have appeared to address specific niches or provide alternative approaches to AI interaction, often with a focus on "data protection" 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 developments are emerging:

Growing focus on local and private AI solutions
Advancement of more capable and efficient models (e.g., speculated LLaMA-3)
Investigation of novel techniques like "eternal memory" for maintaining long-term context
Fusion of AI with other technologies (VR, voice synthesis) for more engaging experiences
Entities like Lumimaid hint at the prospect for AI to create entire virtual universes and elaborate narratives.

The AI RP domain remains a hotbed of advancement, with communities like Backyard here AI pushing the boundaries of what's achievable. As GPU technology advances and techniques like neural compression boost capabilities, we can expect even more remarkable AI RP experiences in the not-so-distant tomorrow.

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