The Advancement of AI-Enabled Character Simulation: From Fimbulvetr to Next-Gen Language Models

In the past decade, the realm of AI-assisted storytelling (RP) has seen a remarkable shift. What originated as experimental ventures with primitive AI has grown into a dynamic landscape of applications, resources, and user groups. This piece examines the existing environment of AI RP, from popular platforms to cutting-edge techniques.

The Rise of AI RP Platforms

Various tools have risen as favored hubs for AI-assisted storytelling and role-play. These allow users to experience both classic role-playing and more mature ERP (intimate character interactions) scenarios. Personas like Stheno, or custom personalities like Poppy Porpoise have become fan favorites.

Meanwhile, other services have gained traction for distributing and exchanging "character cards" – customizable AI entities that users can engage. The Chaotic Soliloquy community has been especially active in creating and distributing these cards.

Breakthroughs in Language Models

The swift progression of advanced AI systems (LLMs) has been a primary catalyst of AI RP's expansion. Models like LLaMA CPP and the mythical "OmniLingua" (a speculative future model) demonstrate the expanding prowess of AI in generating consistent and environmentally cognizant responses.

Model customization has become a vital technique for adapting these models to particular RP scenarios or character personalities. This approach allows for more nuanced and reliable interactions.

The Movement for Privacy and Control

As AI RP has gained mainstream appeal, so too has the demand for privacy and user control. This has led to the rise read more of "local LLMs" and local hosting solutions. Various "LLM hosting" services have sprung up to meet this need.

Projects like Kobold AI and implementations of Llama.cpp have made it possible for users to run powerful language models on their own hardware. This "local LLM" approach appeals to those concerned about data privacy or those who simply enjoy customizing AI systems.

Various tools have grown in favor as intuitive options for managing local models, including powerful 70B parameter versions. These more complex models, while GPU-demanding, offer enhanced capabilities for complex RP scenarios.

Pushing Boundaries and Venturing into New Frontiers

The AI RP community is celebrated for its innovation and eagerness to push boundaries. Tools like Orthogonal Activation Steering allow for detailed adjustment over AI outputs, potentially leading to more versatile and spontaneous characters.

Some users seek out "abiliterated" or "enhanced" models, striving 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 LLaMA-3)
Research of innovative techniques like "eternal memory" 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 quantization boost capabilities, we can expect even more impressive AI RP experiences in the coming years.

Whether you're a curious explorer or a committed "neural engineer" working on the next breakthrough in AI, the realm of AI-powered RP offers infinite opportunities for creativity and discovery.