Take-Two Lays Off AI Staff Months After CEO's AI Push
Take-Two Interactive, the parent company of Rockstar Games and 2K Games, has laid off its head of artificial intelligence and multiple team members working on the technology, according to LinkedIn posts from departing staff.
Luke Dicken, who served as the company's head of AI since January 2025, announced the layoffs on LinkedIn. "My time with T2 - and that of my team - has come to an end," he said. The company's former director of AI research also confirmed the news in separate posts.
Dicken had previously led AI efforts at Zynga, a Take-Two subsidiary focused on mobile games, before moving to the parent company. He said the team had spent seven years developing technology to support game development.
A Reversal From Recent Strategy
The layoffs contradict statements made just months ago by CEO Strauss Zelnick. In investor calls, he said Take-Two was "actively embracing AI" and that the company had "hundreds of pilots and implementations across our studios."
Zelnick described AI as a tool to "drive efficiencies, reduce costs" and free up creative staff from routine work. He said the company believed in "protecting and paying human beings" for their work, even as AI capabilities expanded.
Dicken attributed the cuts to "shifting priorities from upper management." He did not elaborate on what those priorities were or whether the company plans to continue AI development under different leadership.
What This Means for Managers
For executives and managers navigating AI adoption, this reversal illustrates a common challenge: the gap between strategic announcements and actual resource allocation. AI for Executives & Strategy resources can help leaders align organizational decisions with stated goals.
The takeaway for management teams is straightforward. Public statements about AI investment require sustained commitment and clear decision-making frameworks. Without them, even well-resourced initiatives can be dismantled quickly when priorities shift.
Teams working on emerging technologies should understand that organizational support can change. AI for Management training helps leaders communicate strategy consistently and manage transitions when direction changes.
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