A recent job advertisement from Netflix has revealed the company’s ambitious plans to recruit a leader for its generative artificial intelligence initiatives within its burgeoning gaming division.
Netflix explicitly stated that this pivotal role will “sit at the intersection of technology, product, and creativity,” aiming to harness advanced AI to craft innovative, scalable, and impactful experiences for its global player base.
The advertisement for this Head of Generative AI position, initially noticed by a user on BlueSky, has garnered significant attention due to its highly attractive salary range: between $430,000 and $840,000 for the successful applicant.
The individual selected will serve as a crucial collaborator for Netflix’s various gaming studios, working closely with both technology and platform teams. Their primary objective will be to define and expand Netflix’s overarching strategy for generative AI, exploring everything “from core capabilities to in-game features to entirely new forms of play,” all while balancing technical feasibility with player appeal.
A key responsibility for this new executive will involve collaborating with Netflix’s game development teams to prototype novel “AI-native gameplay mechanics.” The exact nature of these innovative gameplay elements, however, remains a fascinating mystery.
This new hire will step into a role previously held by Mike Verdu, Netflix’s former top AI executive for gaming, who departed in 2024. Verdu had previously expressed strong optimism about AI’s potential, stating that this “transformational technology will accelerate the velocity of development and unlock truly novel game experiences that will surprise, delight, and inspire players.”
Currently, Netflix boasts a library of over 120 games accessible to subscribers on both mobile and PC platforms. Earlier this year, the company announced its intention to significantly increase its investment in gaming. While the financial commitment to gaming has been minor compared to its robust film and television segments, Netflix sees substantial growth potential, especially as it refines its approach following early project challenges.
Alain Tascan, Netflix’s gaming chief, compared their journey in gaming to that of a musician: “It’s a little bit like a musician; we start copying a few things and then at one point we’re going to find our voice. I don’t know how long it’s going to take exactly, but I’m very bullish about us finding our voice.”
Netflix’s deepening commitment to AI comes as no shock, particularly given co-CEO Ted Sarandos’s vocal enthusiasm for the technology and its potential to reduce production expenses. On the television front, Sarandos recently confirmed that a scene depicting a collapsing building in the Netflix original series “The Eternaut” was generated using AI video and image prompts.
However, the increased adoption of AI technologies has not been without controversy. Both Hollywood and the gaming industry have seen significant pushback, largely driven by fears of job displacement and other ethical concerns. The SAG-AFTRA union, for example, initiated strikes partly over AI-related issues. While those strikes for film, TV, and gaming professionals have concluded, the union successfully secured specific protections regarding AI usage in commercial projects.