Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang is changing his tune after the company’s DLSS 5 reveal at GTC 2026 sparked a wave of backlash from gamers and developers. After initially brushing off criticism and saying detractors were “completely wrong,” Huang has now acknowledged that a lot of the concerns around DLSS 5 are understandable—especially the growing frustration with what many people call “AI slop.”
In a recent interview on the Lex Fridman podcast, Huang said he gets why players are uneasy about AI-generated visuals creeping into games. He explained that much of today’s AI-made content is starting to blur together stylistically, and while it often looks polished at a glance, it can also feel unnervingly generic. Huang admitted he doesn’t like that trend either, noting that the “beautiful but samey” look is exactly what turns many people off.
Even while softening his stance, Huang still defended DLSS 5 and pushed back on the idea that it’s simply an automated filter that will be slapped onto games after launch. Instead, he framed DLSS 5 as something meant to be used earlier in the development pipeline—more like a toolset for creators than a post-release visual overhaul. According to Huang, the key point is control: artists and developers can choose how to use it, or choose not to use it at all.
He described DLSS 5 as a way of giving artists access to generative AI tools that could enhance details like lighting and fine visual elements without overriding the original creative vision. Nvidia’s message, at least as Huang presented it, is that developers remain in the driver’s seat.
The controversy, however, didn’t come out of nowhere. Much of the outrage traces back to an early DLSS 5 showcase that featured an altered look for Grace Ashcroft from Resident Evil Requiem. Viewers noticed smoother skin, sharper facial features, and a noticeably “uncanny” finish—an effect many compared to the kind of AI-generated imagery that circulates online. Rather than looking like a deliberate art decision, it struck critics as an artificial makeover that changed the character’s identity and tone.
Adding fuel to the fire, Capcom’s artists were reportedly surprised by the demonstration and had not been informed or consulted in advance. Not long after, Capcom clarified its stance by stating it will not use generative AI for final in-game asset models, artwork, or textures—an important signal in a broader industry conversation about where AI belongs in the game production process.
Huang’s updated comments suggest Nvidia is paying attention to the criticism, at least more than it first appeared. Still, DLSS 5 is currently expected to launch later this year alongside RTX 50-series graphics cards. The big question now is whether DLSS 5 will ultimately be embraced as an optional creative tool that supports developers—or rejected as an unwanted layer that changes the look and feel of games without earning player trust.
