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

In the last few years, the realm of AI-driven character interaction (RP) has seen a significant evolution. What began as experimental ventures with first-generation chatbots has grown into a vibrant ecosystem of applications, platforms, and enthusiasts. This piece investigates the present state of AI RP, from widely-used tools to innovative techniques.

The Growth of AI RP Platforms

Various platforms have emerged as favored centers for AI-enhanced fiction writing and immersive storytelling. These allow users to engage in both traditional RP and more mature ERP (erotic role-play) scenarios. Characters like Stheno, or original creations like Lumimaid have become fan favorites.

Meanwhile, other platforms have gained traction for hosting and circulating "character cards" – customizable AI entities that users can converse with. The Backyard AI community has been especially active in designing and distributing these cards.

Advancements in Language Models

The rapid progression of neural language processors (LLMs) has been a crucial factor of AI RP's expansion. Models like LLaMA-3 and the mythical "HyperVerbal" (a theoretical future model) showcase the increasing capabilities of AI in creating consistent and situationally appropriate responses.

Fine-tuning has become a vital technique for tailoring these models to specific RP scenarios or character personalities. This approach allows for more sophisticated and consistent interactions.

The Movement for Privacy and Control

As AI RP has become more widespread, so too has the demand for data privacy and personal autonomy. This has led to the rise of "user-owned language processors" and on-premise model deployment. Various "AI-as-a-Service" services have been created to address this need.

Projects like Undi and implementations of Llama.cpp have made it feasible for users to run powerful language models on their local machines. This "local LLM" approach resonates with those concerned about data privacy or those who simply relish tinkering with AI systems.

Various tools have grown in favor as user-friendly options for deploying local models, including advanced 70B parameter versions. These more complex models, while computationally intensive, offer improved performance for elaborate RP scenarios.

Pushing Boundaries and Investigating New Frontiers

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

Some users pursue "unrestricted" or "enhanced" models, aiming for maximum creative freedom. However, this provokes ongoing philosophical conversations within the community.

Niche services have emerged to address specific niches or provide unique approaches to AI interaction, often with a focus on "privacy-first" 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 patterns are taking shape:

Increased focus on local and private AI solutions
Advancement of more capable and efficient models (e.g., anticipated 70B models)
Exploration of groundbreaking techniques like "perpetual context" for maintaining long-term context
Combination website of AI with other technologies (VR, voice synthesis) for more immersive experiences
Entities like Lumimaid hint at the potential for AI to produce entire fictional worlds and intricate narratives.

The AI RP field remains a nexus of invention, with communities like Backyard AI pushing the boundaries of what's attainable. As GPU technology progresses and techniques like cognitive optimization enhance performance, we can expect even more astounding AI RP experiences in the coming years.

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