Troy Baker on AI and Art: Don't demonize the tool-protect the craft
Actor Troy Baker believes creative professionals shouldn't demonize artificial intelligence. His take is simple: AI can assist, but it can't create art because it doesn't live a human life.
"For centuries, humans have graced stages," he said, pointing to a history that keeps repeating itself. "Art demands the presence of artists."
What Baker actually said
In a conversation with The Game Business, Baker-known for roles like Joel Miller in The Last of Us and Higgs Monaghan in Death Stranding-pushed back on the fear and drama around AI. There's a lot of focus on what AI can do, but, as he put it, "it doesn't negate my decision as a performer or producer to pursue my craft."
He acknowledged that AI might make content creation more efficient. But without lived experience, it lacks the core ingredient of art. That's the line that matters.
Why this matters for creatives
- Use AI as a tool, not an author. Let it draft, iterate, and organize. You decide what ships.
- Double down on the human layer: taste, story, risk, presence. That's the moat.
- Lean into formats people can feel-live shows, events, physical pieces, behind-the-scenes work.
- Build a voice that can't be cloned. Style plus process beats prompts.
Practical ways to apply this now
- Define your rules: where AI helps (ideation, cleanup, comps) and where it doesn't (final voice, emotional beats).
- Start with a personal brief before touching any model. Feed it references, not decisions.
- Keep human checkpoints at key moments: concept, final draft, final mix/cut.
- Show your process. Share drafts, rehearsals, sketches. Provenance builds trust.
- Schedule real experiences. Attend performances, read physical books, spend time with art offline.
A shift back to the real
Baker expects the current surge in AI to push audiences back to authenticity-more live performances, more physical media, more direct engagement with artists. The more synthetic the feed gets, the more people crave what's human.
Industry note
Patrick Söderlund, CEO and founder of Embark Studios, has said the company is committed to keeping people in the loop rather than replacing them with AI. That stance aligns with Baker's point: keep the tech, keep the humans, keep the art.
Bottom line
AI is loud. Art is human. Use the tools to move faster, but keep your hands on the meaning. That's the work.
Resources
- If you want structured ways to plug AI into your workflow without losing your voice, explore curated options by job at Complete AI Training.
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