Disney and Universal have launched a high-stakes copyright lawsuit against Midjourney, the popular AI image generator. The move signals a major turning point in the battle between entertainment companies and artificial intelligence platforms.

Epic Games took a big step with conversational AI when it added a new version of Darth Vader in Fortnite that could speak with players.

Fortnite developer Epic will be letting players create their own "AI-powered NPCs" later this year, following its Darth Vader chatbot.

Though the parties eventually reached a tentative agreement, AI has only gained a greater foothold. Screenwriters are turning to ChatGPT to brainstorm ideas. Directors have used Sora AI to create short films. And elsewhere, AI-generated memes have become a bewildering form of warfare for chronically online politicians.

The AI NPCs aren’t the only AI-focused news for Fortnite creators. Epic is also beta testing the Epic Developer Assistant, an AI chatbot that can help UEFN creators write code in UEFN’s Verse programming language. The beta test is live today.

Fortnite had a very rocky launch with its AI-powered NPC, Darth Vader, last month. The battle royale's use of artificial intelligence may not be stopping there, either. Epic Games has unveiled a new AI-powered NPC Persona device, which will serve as a way for Fortnite Creative developers to add more interactive character elements to their maps.

Fortnite has introduced two new AI-controlled NPCs that can interact with players in the game’s LEGO mode, Brick Life, but they’re very different compared to the controversial Darth Vader. Epic Games surprised the entire community when they first introduced AI-powered Darth Vader in the previous Star Wars season.

Fortnite has revealed huge plans to bring more AI-powered NPCs like the existing Darth Vader AI who has gone viral online.

Star Wars fans have been wowed by the AI-generated Stormtrooper videos, and it shows Disney should add more comedy moving forward.