In the past decade, the world of AI-powered role-playing (RP) has undergone a remarkable shift. What originated as experimental ventures with first-generation chatbots has blossomed into a vibrant ecosystem of applications, resources, and user groups. This piece explores the current landscape of AI RP, from user favorites to groundbreaking techniques.

The Emergence of AI RP Platforms

Various platforms have come to prominence as favored centers for AI-assisted storytelling and role-play. These allow users to experience both classic role-playing and more adult-oriented ERP (erotic role-play) scenarios. Avatars like Euryvale, or original creations like Poppy Porpoise have become fan favorites.

Meanwhile, other websites have gained traction for distributing and circulating "character cards" – ready-to-use digital personas that users can interact with. The IkariDev community has been particularly active in creating and distributing these cards.

Innovations in Language Models

The swift progression of neural language processors (LLMs) has been a primary catalyst of AI RP's proliferation. Models like LLaMA CPP and the fabled "HyperVerbal" (a hypothetical future model) highlight the expanding prowess of AI in producing consistent and situationally appropriate responses.

Model customization has become a essential technique for adapting these models to specific RP scenarios or character personalities. This process allows for more refined and stable interactions.

The Drive for Privacy and Control

As AI RP has become more widespread, so too has the demand for privacy and user control. This has led to the development of "local LLMs" and on-premise model deployment. Various "AI-as-a-Service" services have sprung up to satisfy this need.

Projects like NeverSleep and implementations of NeuralCore.cpp have made it possible for users to utilize powerful language models on their personal devices. This "local LLM" approach resonates with those worried about data privacy or those who simply enjoy customizing AI systems.

Various tools have become widely adopted as user-friendly options for managing local models, including impressive 70B parameter versions. These more sophisticated models, while GPU-demanding, offer enhanced capabilities for intricate RP scenarios.

Pushing Boundaries and Investigating New Frontiers

The AI RP community is known for its innovation and willingness to break new ground. Tools like Cognitive Vector Control allow for precise manipulation over AI outputs, potentially leading to more versatile and spontaneous characters.

Some users search for "unrestricted" or "obliterated" models, targeting maximum creative freedom. However, this sparks ongoing moral discussions within the community.

Specialized services have emerged to serve specific niches or provide alternative 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 developments are emerging:

Growing focus on local and private AI solutions
Creation of more sophisticated and efficient models (e.g., anticipated LLaMA-3)
Investigation of groundbreaking techniques like "neversleep" for preserving long-term context
Fusion of AI with other technologies (VR, voice synthesis) for more immersive experiences
Characters like Lumimaid hint at the prospect for AI to generate entire virtual universes and intricate narratives.

The AI RP space remains a crucible of advancement, with collectives like IkariDev redefining the possibilities of what's attainable. As GPU technology advances and techniques like neural compression boost capabilities, we can expect even more astounding AI RP experiences in the near future.

Whether you're a casual role-player or a dedicated "AI 70b model researcher" working on the next innovation in AI, the realm of AI-powered RP offers infinite opportunities for creativity and exploration.