In an effort to combat AI-generated portfolio fraud, a mid-size Japanese game studio now requires applicants to draw live during the interview process.
The use of generative AI has become much more common over the past year. This has reached the gaming industry as well, and recruiters are now struggling to distinguish genuine artistic skill from AI-generated work. In response, some Japanese companies have begun asking applicants to draw on the spot during interviews to verify that their portfolios weren’t created with AI.
When Fraud Gets You Hired
In an interview with the Japanese magazine Daily Shincho, an anonymous chief graphic designer explained that the hiring process has become increasingly challenging. Generative AI continues to advance rapidly, making it harder than ever to tell real artwork apart from machine-generated images. Online portfolios are now overflowing with AI art.
The problem, he noted, is that some applicants have previously passed off AI-generated pieces as their own. These candidates were hired based on strong portfolios, only for companies to later discover that the skill behind those works never existed.
According to the designer, more companies are now adopting additional security measures to prevent this kind of AI-related fraud.
For employers, hiring someone who lacks the promised skills is a waste of time and resources, and it also takes opportunities away from the people who truly deserve them.
Game Studios Are Pushing Back
To fight against the growing influence of generative AI, some studios now require candidates to demonstrate their skills live. While this approach is time-consuming for both recruiters and applicants, many believe it’s currently the only reliable solution.
It's a lot of work for a recruiter, and I feel like I took a few steps backwards.
The designer explains that he also uses AI as a tool, but does not rely on it to create his own work.
I strongly believe that human creativity is what produces the best characters and graphics.
Even with stricter hiring practices, conversations about replacing creative roles with generative AI are still ongoing in the upper management. The anonymous designer admitted he no longer feels as secure in his job as he once did.
How do you feel about the use of generative AI? Can AI ever truly replace human creation? Let us know in the comments!