AI Art in Call of Duty Sparks Regulatory Call from Rep. Ro Khanna

The release of Call of Duty: Black Ops 7 has reignited debate over AI use in creative industries, according to IGN. The game features AI-generated artwork in several in-game assets, a move that drew criticism from players and prompted U.S. Representative Ro Khanna to call for new regulation addressing job displacement caused by artificial intelligence.

Khanna proposed a tax on what he termed “mass displacement,” aiming to discourage companies from using AI to replace human workers. He also called for policies ensuring that artists and other creative professionals have input on how AI tools are deployed in their industries. The lawmaker clarified that he does not support an outright ban on AI but wants guardrails to prevent excessive automation.

While Activision, publisher of Call of Duty: Black Ops 7, has openly acknowledged its deliberate use of AI for asset creation, other studios have taken a different approach. Ubisoft stated that an AI-generated image in Anno 117: Pax Romana was included by mistake and will be replaced in an upcoming patch. The company said its teams use AI tools for prototyping and exploration but emphasized that the final game reflects the work of its artists.

The contrasting responses from Activision and Ubisoft highlight the growing scrutiny over how AI is integrated into large-scale game development and how companies disclose its use to players.