Ubisoft Confirms AI-Generated Image "Slipped Through" Review Process in Anno 117: Pax Romana

Ubisoft has admitted that a placeholder image generated by Artificial Intelligence was unintentionally included in Anno 117: Pax Romana and has confirmed the image will be removed in an upcoming update. The developer issued a statement after players spotted several visual inconsistencies suggesting machine generation.

The issue came to light after players closely examined a piece of artwork within Anno 117: Pax Romana, noting irregularities in the depiction of human figures and environmental design—hallmarks often associated with generative AI tools.

In response to the community's findings, Ubisoft confirmed the source of the image and explained its origin:

"This image was a placeholder asset that unintentionally slipped through our review process. The final image is attached here and will replace the current version of this artwork with the upcoming 1.3 patch."

The studio also used the opportunity to emphasize the extensive human effort involved in the project, noting that Anno 117 boasts the "largest team of artists ever for the franchise." While the team relies on human artistry for the final product, the studio clarified its approach to development:

"To help meet the project’s unique scope, they use AI tools for iterations, prototyping, and exploration. Every element players will experience in the final game reflects the team’s craft, artistry, and creative vision."

Ubisoft is transparent about its use of AI in development, as noted by the official disclosure on the game’s Steam store page. However, the studio has yet to respond to separate community claims suggesting that the German-language localization for the game may have also been generated by AI.