Unity pulls the plug on Atlas AI generation tool less than 24 hours after launch | Pocket Gamer.biz

Unity Removes AI Generation Tool Atlas from Asset Store

The game-creation platform Unity has swiftly removed the AI generation tool Atlas from their third-party asset store, just hours after its introduction. This comes as part of Unity’s recent expansion of AI tools, including Muse and Senti AI generation programs. Atlas, Replica Studios, and Zibra AI were the first batch of tools to be added, reflecting Unity’s strong commitment to AI. Unity has stated that these third-party tools meet their highest quality and compatibility standards.

However, Unity has now announced on their Twitter account that they have taken down Atlas from the Asset Store due to a violation of their terms and conditions. Unity is currently reviewing all verified solutions providers in the AI category to ensure the quality of their ecosystem is upheld.

Concerns and Questions

Many users are now questioning what actions specifically led to the violation of Unity’s terms and conditions. Furthermore, why was this issue not identified beforehand? This incident raises concerns, especially for those who are skeptical of AI. Some have found reassurance in the belief that companies will carefully endorse AI tools. While Unity’s quick response is commendable, the rapid removal of Atlas may unsettle some users.

Potential Copyright and Ethical Concerns

The removal of Atlas might be connected to ongoing concerns surrounding the copyright, ethics, and feasibility of the data sets used to “train” many AI systems. Some AI tools utilize publicly available assets, raising alarms among artists about the lack of creator consent. It is possible that Unity is being cautious about potential copyright issues.

Unity’s Ecosystem and Third-Party Assets

It should be noted that many studios that utilize AI do so with custom-made tools integrated into their existing development pipelines. While Unity remains a valuable platform for developers of all sizes, the removal of Atlas could make users more cautious about utilizing third-party assets on the platform.