Square Enix to Automate 70% of QA With AI by 2027

Square Enix plans to use generative AI to automate up to 70% of its quality assurance (QA) and debugging tasks by late 2027. The target was outlined in the company’s latest progress report on its medium-term business plan, released alongside financial results for the six months ending Sept. 30, 2025.

The initiative falls under the company’s focus on “promoting AI utilization in Japan,” and aims to improve the efficiency and stability of its game development pipeline. 

Square Enix said the effort is part of a long-term strategy to strengthen its production capabilities and reduce development bottlenecks.

Square Enix Partners With University of Tokyo for AI Research

To achieve this goal, Square Enix has launched a joint research program with the Matsuo Laboratory at the University of Tokyo. The collaboration, which includes more than ten researchers and engineers from both organizations, focuses on using generative AI to enhance the efficiency of QA operations and development workflows. 

The company also held an internal AI-themed idea contest, selecting several proposals that are now being developed internally. The announcement comes amid growing tension between Japanese content producers and AI firms. 

Earlier this week, the Content Overseas Distribution Association (CODA), which represents companies such as Square Enix, Bandai Namco, and Kadokawa, filed a request urging OpenAI to stop using Japanese media content to train its models. CODA warned that doing so may constitute copyright infringement under Japanese law.

Square Enix president Takashi Kiryu previously said the publisher would take an “aggressive” approach to adopting AI in its creative processes. However, not all creators in Japan share that view. 

Meanwhile, Final Fantasy composer Nobuo Uematsu recently told JASRAC Magazine that he avoids AI tools, citing the loss of human imperfection in machine-made art.

If successful, Square Enix’s AI initiative could reshape game production, potentially reducing development timelines, while testing the limits of automation in the creative industries.