"The deal is a huge bet that artificial intelligence can significantly cut EA's operating costs, allowing the equity consortium to manage a large debt load on a company that historically carried limited net debt.

Al is already widely used across Silicon Valley to accelerate many kinds of computer programming. In games development, it can be used to replace voice actors and create backdrops and other assets, as well as automating play testing to avoid bugs before release."

"The investors are betting that Al-based cost cuts will significantly boost EA's profits in coming years, people involved in the transaction told the Financial Times."