The Evolution of AI-Powered Interactive Storytelling: From Ancient Myths to Local 70B Models

In recent years, the domain of AI-powered role-playing (RP) has experienced a significant evolution. What originated as niche experiments with primitive AI has developed into a thriving community of platforms, resources, and communities. This article examines the existing environment of AI RP, from popular platforms to cutting-edge techniques.

The Emergence of AI RP Platforms

Various services have emerged as popular centers for AI-enhanced fiction writing and role-play. These allow users to engage in both classic role-playing and more mature ERP (intimate character interactions) scenarios. Avatars like Noromaid, or custom personalities like Lumimaid have become fan favorites.

Meanwhile, other platforms have gained traction for hosting and sharing "character cards" – pre-made AI personalities that users can interact with. The Chaotic Soliloquy community has been particularly active in creating and spreading these cards.

Breakthroughs in Language Models

The accelerated progression of advanced AI systems (LLMs) has been a crucial factor of AI RP's expansion. Models like LLaMA-3 and the mythical "HyperVerbal" (a theoretical future model) demonstrate the increasing capabilities of AI in generating logical and environmentally cognizant responses.

Model customization has become a crucial technique for adapting these models to unique RP scenarios or character personalities. This method allows for more nuanced and stable interactions.

The Drive for Privacy and Control

As AI RP has grown in popularity, so too has the need for confidentiality and personal autonomy. This has led to the rise of "user-owned language processors" and self-hosted AI options. Various "LLM hosting" services have been created to address this need.

Endeavors like Undi and implementations of Llama.cpp have made it achievable for users to run powerful language models on their local machines. This "on-device AI" approach resonates with those worried about data privacy or those who simply relish experimenting with AI systems.

Various tools have gained popularity as accessible options for managing local models, including powerful 70B parameter versions. These more sophisticated models, while computationally intensive, offer superior results for complex RP scenarios.

Breaking New Ground and Exploring New Frontiers

The AI RP community is recognized for its creativity and eagerness to break new ground. Tools like Orthogonal Activation Steering allow for precise manipulation over AI outputs, potentially leading to more adaptable and unpredictable characters.

Some users pursue "abiliterated" or "obliterated" models, striving for maximum creative freedom. However, this provokes ongoing philosophical conversations within the community.

Specialized services have surfaced to address specific niches or provide alternative approaches to AI interaction, often with a focus on "no logging" policies. Companies like recursal.ai and featherless.ai are among those exploring innovative approaches in this space.

The Future of AI RP

As we anticipate the future, several patterns are becoming apparent:

Increased focus on self-hosted and secure AI solutions
Advancement of more sophisticated and efficient models (e.g., rumored 70B models)
Investigation of innovative techniques like "eternal memory" for sustaining long-term context
Fusion of AI with other technologies (VR, voice synthesis) for more lifelike experiences
Entities like Poppy Porpoise hint at the potential for AI to generate entire fictional worlds and expansive narratives.

The AI RP space remains a hotbed of innovation, with communities like IkariDev pushing the boundaries of what's possible. As GPU technology advances and techniques like quantization boost capabilities, we can expect even more astounding AI RP experiences in the not-so-distant tomorrow.

Whether you're a curious explorer or a committed "AI researcher" working on the next innovation in AI, the world of website AI-powered RP offers endless possibilities for innovation and adventure.