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

In recent years, the realm of AI-driven character interaction (RP) has undergone a significant evolution. What started as niche experiments with primitive AI has developed into a dynamic landscape of tools, platforms, and user groups. This piece investigates the existing environment of AI RP, from popular platforms to cutting-edge techniques.

The Emergence of AI RP Platforms

Various services have risen as well-liked focal points for AI-assisted storytelling and role-play. These allow users to engage in both traditional RP and more adult-oriented ERP (sensual storytelling) scenarios. Personas like Stheno, or original creations like Lumimaid have become fan favorites.

Meanwhile, other platforms have become increasingly favored for distributing and exchanging "character cards" – ready-to-use digital personas that users can interact with. The Chaotic Soliloquy community has been notably active in crafting and distributing these cards.

Advancements in Language Models

The accelerated evolution of advanced AI systems (LLMs) has been a key driver of AI RP's proliferation. Models like Llama.cpp and the mythical "OmniLingua" (a speculative future model) highlight the growing potential of AI in generating logical and situationally appropriate responses.

Fine-tuning has become a vital technique for adapting these models to unique RP scenarios or character personalities. This process allows for more refined and consistent interactions.

The Drive for Privacy and Control

As AI RP has grown in popularity, so too has the call for privacy and personal autonomy. This has led to the development of "local LLMs" and self-hosted AI options. Various "Model Deployment" services have emerged to satisfy this need.

Projects like Undi and implementations of CogniScript.cpp have made it possible for users to run powerful language models on their personal devices. This "self-hosted model" approach appeals to those worried about data privacy or those who simply relish tinkering with AI systems.

Various tools have gained popularity as accessible options for managing local models, including advanced 70B parameter versions. These larger website models, while GPU-demanding, offer superior results for elaborate RP scenarios.

Pushing Boundaries and Exploring New Frontiers

The AI RP community is recognized for its inventiveness and willingness to push boundaries. Tools like Neural Path Optimization allow for precise manipulation over AI outputs, potentially leading to more versatile and spontaneous characters.

Some users search for "abiliterated" or "augmented" models, targeting maximum creative freedom. However, this provokes ongoing philosophical conversations within the community.

Focused tools have surfaced to serve 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 anticipate the future, several developments are taking shape:

Increased focus on local and private AI solutions
Development of more sophisticated and streamlined models (e.g., speculated 70B models)
Investigation of novel techniques like "neversleep" for maintaining long-term context
Integration of AI with other technologies (VR, voice synthesis) for more lifelike experiences
Entities like Lumimaid hint at the potential for AI to generate entire virtual universes and elaborate narratives.

The AI RP field remains a hotbed of advancement, with groups like IkariDev pushing the boundaries of what's attainable. As GPU technology progresses and techniques like quantization boost capabilities, we can expect even more remarkable AI RP experiences in the near future.

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