In the last few years, the domain of AI-assisted storytelling (RP) has undergone a dramatic transformation. What originated as fringe projects with early language models has developed into a thriving community of tools, services, and communities. This overview explores the existing environment of AI RP, from popular platforms to groundbreaking techniques.

The Rise of AI RP Platforms

Various tools have emerged as favored hubs for AI-enhanced fiction writing and immersive storytelling. These allow users to engage in both classic role-playing and more risqué ERP (intimate character interactions) scenarios. Characters like Euryvale, or custom personalities like Poppy Porpoise have become popular choices.

Meanwhile, other platforms have grown in popularity for distributing and sharing "character cards" – ready-to-use digital personas that users can engage. The Backyard AI community has been particularly active in designing and distributing these cards.

Breakthroughs in Language Models

The rapid evolution of advanced AI systems (LLMs) has been a primary catalyst of AI RP's growth. Models like LLaMA-3 and the legendary "OmniLingua" (a hypothetical future model) highlight the increasing capabilities of AI in generating consistent and situationally appropriate responses.

AI personalization has become a vital technique for adjusting these models to unique RP scenarios or character personalities. This process allows for more nuanced and consistent interactions.

The Push for Privacy and Control

As AI RP has grown in popularity, so too has the demand for privacy and read more personal autonomy. This has led to the emergence of "local LLMs" and local hosting solutions. Various "LLM hosting" services have sprung up to meet this need.

Endeavors like NeverSleep and implementations of Llama.cpp have made it achievable for users to utilize powerful language models on their local machines. This "self-hosted model" approach attracts those worried about data privacy or those who simply appreciate experimenting with AI systems.

Various tools have become widely adopted as accessible options for deploying local models, including powerful 70B parameter versions. These more complex models, while computationally intensive, offer enhanced capabilities for complex RP scenarios.

Breaking New Ground and Venturing into New Frontiers

The AI RP community is recognized for its innovation and willingness to push boundaries. Tools like Cognitive Vector Control allow for detailed adjustment over AI outputs, potentially leading to more versatile and unpredictable characters.

Some users seek out "abiliterated" or "enhanced" models, aiming for maximum creative freedom. However, this raises ongoing philosophical conversations within the community.

Niche platforms have surfaced to serve specific niches or provide alternative approaches to AI interaction, often with a focus on "data protection" policies. Companies like recursal.ai and featherless.ai are among those exploring innovative approaches in this space.

The Future of AI RP

As we anticipate the future, several trends are becoming apparent:

Growing focus on local and private AI solutions
Advancement of more capable and efficient models (e.g., anticipated 70B models)
Research of innovative techniques like "neversleep" for preserving long-term context
Integration of AI with other technologies (VR, voice synthesis) for more lifelike experiences
Characters like Euryvale hint at the potential for AI to produce entire imaginary realms and intricate narratives.

The AI RP field remains a nexus of invention, with collectives like Chaotic Soliloquy redefining the possibilities of what's achievable. As GPU technology evolves and techniques like neural compression boost capabilities, we can expect even more remarkable AI RP experiences in the not-so-distant tomorrow.

Whether you're a casual role-player or a passionate "quant" working on the next innovation in AI, the domain of AI-powered RP offers endless possibilities for innovation and exploration.