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 dynamic landscape of tools, platforms, and communities. This piece examines the existing environment of AI RP, from user favorites to groundbreaking techniques.

The Growth of AI RP Platforms

Various tools 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. Personas like Stheno, or original creations like Lumimaid have become fan favorites.

Meanwhile, other websites have become increasingly favored for distributing and exchanging "character cards" – ready-to-use digital personas that users can interact with. The Chaotic Soliloquy community has been notably active in designing and distributing these cards.

Advancements in Language Models

The accelerated progression of advanced AI systems (LLMs) has been a key driver of AI RP's proliferation. Models like LLaMA CPP and the legendary "Mythomax" (a hypothetical future model) demonstrate the increasing capabilities of AI in creating consistent and context-aware responses.

AI personalization has become a essential technique for adapting these models to unique RP scenarios or character personalities. This process allows for more refined and reliable interactions.

The Movement for Privacy and Control

As AI RP has become more widespread, so too has the demand for data privacy and user control. This has led to the development of "local LLMs" and local hosting solutions. Various "Model Deployment" services have sprung up to satisfy this need.

Projects like NeverSleep and implementations of Llama.cpp have made it possible for users to utilize powerful language models on their local machines. This "local LLM" approach appeals to those worried about data privacy or those who simply appreciate customizing AI systems.

Various tools have grown in favor as user-friendly options for running local models, including impressive 70B parameter versions. These more complex models, while GPU-demanding, offer superior results for elaborate RP scenarios.

Breaking New Ground and Venturing into New Frontiers

The AI RP community is celebrated for its creativity and willingness to push boundaries. Tools like Orthogonal Activation Steering allow for fine-grained control over AI outputs, potentially leading to more dynamic and unpredictable characters.

Some users seek out "uncensored" or "obliterated" models, aiming for maximum creative freedom. However, this raises ongoing ethical debates within the community.

Focused tools have surfaced to serve specific niches or provide unique approaches to AI interaction, often with a focus on "privacy-first" policies. Companies like recursal.ai and featherless.ai are among those exploring innovative approaches in this space.

The Future of AI RP

As we look to the future, several trends are becoming apparent:

Heightened focus on on-device and confidential AI solutions
Creation of more capable and efficient models (e.g., rumored Quants)
Investigation of novel techniques like "neversleep" for sustaining long-term context
Combination of AI with other technologies (VR, voice synthesis) for more engaging experiences
Characters like Euryvale hint at the possibility for AI GPU to generate entire virtual universes and elaborate narratives.

The AI RP space remains a nexus of invention, with communities like Backyard AI expanding the limits of what's possible. As GPU technology evolves and techniques like neural compression improve efficiency, we can expect even more astounding AI RP experiences in the coming years.

Whether you're a casual role-player or a passionate "quant" working on the next discovery in AI, the realm of AI-powered RP offers infinite opportunities for imagination and exploration.