PlayStation is developing AI technology that will play your video game for you, or offer advice when you get stuck.
The patent for the “AI-generated ghost player” was originally filed back in 2024 but was recently updated (and discovered by Boing Boing). The technology will be able to summon an NPC that will demonstrate how to progress further in a video game if you get stuck, or take control of your character completely.
The documents suggest that the AI technology will be trained using gameplay clips posted on YouTube and Twitch, as well as data uploaded to the PlayStation Network. It will also be able to react in real-time to whatever challenges you’re facing.
“Sometimes the ghost character provides limited assistance, sometimes the ghost character provides detailed and comprehensive assistance, and sometimes the ghost character provides assistance along a curtailed narrative of the game that is focused on specific characteristics of the game or playing style,” wrote Sony. The AI character will also be able to show what buttons need to be pushed and in what order, as well as hold conversations with you.
“The relevant interactivity is for the context of the gameplay of the player, not just some prior gameplay of another player. The ghost character can therefore be controlled by the assistance Al engine during gameplay and provide the player with visual illustrations of how certain game scenarios are played in order for the character controlled by the player to be able to achieve progress in the game,” Sony added.
Why would I ever want a feature on my GAMING CONSOLE that allows me to just not play the game and skip content I’m not good at?
Learning games and feeling yourself improve at them is a huge part of what makes gaming fun in the first place. https://t.co/GKGcA5z5N5
— Chole (@ColeDrakulich) January 6, 2026
The news has received a mixed response from fans. “Cool, now I don’t have to play games that I buy. What’s next? Maybe AI will fucking earn money for me to buy games that I won’t play myself anymore,” said one player.
“People are going to be bothered but it’s no different than looking up a step by step guide or even handing it to a friend/family to help you. Just because you don’t have a use for it, doesn’t mean no one else does lol. It removes having to search the internet for answers. Could be useful for those who need it,” wrote one Reddit user. “There’s also an accessibility argument to be made here. There are some parts of games that impede players because they cannot physically do the required task,” added another.
No release details for the PlayStation AI ghost character have been confirmed. Last year, Microsoft shared its own AI-powered Autopilot which gives players hints and tips for overcoming obstacles in games.
In other news, a new report claims Grand Theft Auto 6 still isn’t finished and there’s still uncertainty over it’s 2026 release date.