In the past decade, the world of AI-driven character interaction (RP) has undergone a dramatic transformation. What began as niche experiments with first-generation chatbots has developed into a dynamic landscape of applications, resources, and enthusiasts. This piece examines the existing environment of AI RP, from user favorites to groundbreaking techniques.

The Growth of AI RP Platforms

Various services have risen as popular hubs for AI-enhanced fiction writing and immersive storytelling. These allow users to experience both classic role-playing and more mature ERP (intimate character interactions) scenarios. Personas like Euryvale, or original creations like Midnight Miqu have become community darlings.

Meanwhile, other platforms have gained traction for distributing and exchanging "character cards" – pre-made AI personalities that users can converse with. The Backyard AI community has been especially active in designing and distributing these cards.

Advancements in Language Models

The rapid development of neural language processors (LLMs) has been a primary catalyst of AI RP's expansion. Models like Llama.cpp and the mythical "Mythomax" (a hypothetical future model) demonstrate the growing potential of AI in generating logical and environmentally cognizant responses.

Model customization has become a crucial technique for adjusting these models to particular RP scenarios or character personalities. This process allows for more refined and reliable interactions.

The Push for Privacy and Control

As AI RP has grown in popularity, so too has the need for confidentiality and user control. This has led to the emergence of "private LLMs" and local hosting solutions. Various "LLM hosting" services have emerged to meet this need.

Projects like NeverSleep and implementations of NeuralCore.cpp have made it possible for users to operate powerful language models on their own hardware. This "self-hosted model" approach appeals to those focused on data privacy or those who simply enjoy customizing AI systems.

Various tools have gained popularity as accessible options for running local models, including powerful 70B parameter versions. These more sophisticated models, while GPU-demanding, offer superior results for complex RP scenarios.

Breaking New Ground and Exploring New Frontiers

The AI RP community is recognized for its inventiveness and willingness to challenge limits. Tools like Cognitive Vector Control allow for fine-grained control over AI outputs, potentially leading to more versatile and surprising characters.

Some users seek out "unrestricted" or "augmented" models, targeting maximum creative freedom. However, this raises ongoing moral discussions within the community.

Focused tools have emerged to cater 70b model to specific niches or provide unique 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 envision the future, several trends are emerging:

Increased focus on self-hosted and secure AI solutions
Advancement of more sophisticated and efficient models (e.g., rumored LLaMA-3)
Exploration of novel techniques like "neversleep" for preserving long-term context
Integration of AI with other technologies (VR, voice synthesis) for more engaging experiences
Characters like Euryvale hint at the potential for AI to produce entire fictional worlds and intricate narratives.

The AI RP space remains a nexus of innovation, with collectives like IkariDev redefining the possibilities of what's possible. 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 casual role-player or a committed "neural engineer" working on the next breakthrough in AI, the realm of AI-powered RP offers endless possibilities for imagination and adventure.