A common assumption is that if a bot can do a job, it’s only a matter of time before it replaces humans entirely. We’ve seen it happen with self-checkout machines replacing cashiers, factory robots replacing workers, and so on. But just because a bot can do something—even if it can do it better—doesn’t mean humans will stop doing it.
Take chess, for example. In 1997, IBM’s Deep Blue defeated world champion Garry Kasparov in a six-game match. At the time, some people thought this was the beginning of the end for chess. Why play a game if a computer can always beat you? But the opposite happened—chess exploded in popularity. Now, anyone can play against an AI at any skill level, making it easier to learn and practice. Top players use AI to study and improve, pushing the game further than ever before. More people play chess than ever.
AI might take over tasks people don’t want to do, but it won’t replace things people love to do. Chess is something humans want to play, so it didn’t go away—it grew. Like chess, being a dungeon master is both a skill and a passion. And as with chess, AI tools will likely enhance rather than eliminate the human experience.
Rather than replace them, I believe that AI will be quite helpful to dungeon masters. Here are some ways in which AI can help dungeon masters do what they do best:
Every DM has their own preferences. Some like world building more, some like running combat more. With AI, DMs can offload the things they find burdensome, and allow them to focus on the aspects of the game that they find most fulfilling. A DM who loves creating characters but struggles with mapping could use AI to generate detailed dungeon layouts, freeing them to focus on developing memorable NPCs. By reducing the cognitive load of being a DM, AI helps prevent burnout and enables DMs to prioritize what truly matters: creating memorable experiences for their friends and enjoying their time together.
It remains to be seen whether or not AI can be truly creative, but it’s definitely true that AI can help humans be more creative. Take journalists Kevin Roose (NYT) and Casey Newton (Platformer.com) for example. On their podcast, they talk about how they have been using AI to help as an editor, brainstorming partner, and research assistant. Similarly to journalists, DMs can leverage AI to refine plot arcs, generate innovative scenarios, or provide feedback on narrative directions. If AI can help a DM prepare and make them more confident for their weekly session, that’s a good thing in my book.
For new players entering the world of TTRPGs, AI serves as a valuable guide and tutor. AI can clarify rules, assist with character creation, and answer those questions someone might be too shy to ask at a table. By making the game more approachable, AI contributes to a broader and more inclusive community of players, benefiting both DMs and the TTRPG ecosystem as a whole.
The nice thing about AI is that as humans, we get to choose where and how we integrate AI into our lives. If the goal is to have a good time with your friends, just use AI as much or as little to get there. If you think using AI will make it easier for you to have a good time on Wednesday night, use it as much as you need. If you don’t think its helpful or you don’t want to use it, you don’t have to!
No. As long as people want to be dungeon masters, there will be dungeon masters. And like chess after Deep Blue, the integration of AI tools may well lead to more people becoming dungeon masters than ever before.
