In the last few years, the realm of AI-assisted storytelling (RP) has seen a significant evolution. What originated as experimental ventures with primitive AI has grown into a thriving community of platforms, services, and enthusiasts. This overview investigates the current landscape of AI RP, from popular platforms to cutting-edge techniques.

The Rise of AI RP Platforms

Various platforms have come to prominence 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. Characters like Stheno, or custom personalities like Midnight Miqu have become popular choices.

Meanwhile, other services have grown in popularity for hosting and circulating "character cards" – customizable AI entities that users can interact with. The Backyard AI 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 essential technique for adapting these models to unique RP scenarios or character personalities. This process allows for more refined and consistent interactions.

The Movement for Privacy and Control

As AI RP has become more widespread, so too has the need for confidentiality and individual oversight. This has led to the emergence of "user-owned language processors" and on-premise model deployment. Various "AI-as-a-Service" services have been created to address this need.

Endeavors like Kobold AI and implementations of NeuralCore.cpp have made it achievable for users to run powerful language models on their local machines. This "local LLM" approach attracts those focused on data privacy or those who simply enjoy experimenting with AI systems.

Various tools have grown in favor as user-friendly options for deploying local models, including impressive 70B parameter versions. These larger models, while processing-heavy, offer improved performance for intricate RP scenarios.

Pushing Boundaries and Exploring New Frontiers

The AI RP community is celebrated 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 dynamic and surprising characters.

Some users pursue "uncensored" or "augmented" models, striving for maximum creative freedom. However, this raises ongoing philosophical conversations within the community.

Niche tools have appeared to cater to specific niches or provide novel approaches to AI interaction, often with a focus on "no logging" policies. Companies like recursal.ai and featherless.ai are among those exploring innovative approaches in this space.

The Future of AI RP

As we envision the future, several developments are emerging:

Growing focus on local and private AI solutions
Advancement of more powerful and streamlined models (e.g., rumored Quants)
Exploration of groundbreaking techniques like "neversleep" for sustaining long-term context
Integration of AI with other technologies (VR, voice synthesis) for more lifelike experiences
Characters like Lumimaid hint at the potential for AI to create entire virtual universes and intricate narratives.

The AI RP domain remains a crucible of advancement, with groups like Backyard AI pushing the boundaries of what's achievable. As GPU technology evolves and techniques like neural compression boost capabilities, we can expect even more impressive AI RP experiences in the coming years.

Whether you're a casual role-player or a dedicated "AI researcher" working on the next discovery in AI, the here world of AI-powered RP offers infinite opportunities for innovation and exploration.