- By Prateek Levi
- Tue, 17 Mar 2026 03:25 PM (IST)
- Source:JND
Nvidia DLSS 5 Generative AI Gaming: During its GTC (GPU Technology Conference) on Monday, Nvidia introduced its next-gen DLSS 5, and this is not just another frame rate generation technology; rather, Nvidia has taken things to the next level as it attempts to use machine learning and generative AI to take a huge leap from current versions of GPU hardware to deliver photorealistic graphics using the hardware tech we have now. It has met with mixed reactions, with some calling it a "slop" that could alter the artist's intent. Jensen Huang, Nvidia's chief, calls it a “GPT moment for graphics — blending hand-crafted rendering with generative AI to deliver a dramatic leap in visual realism while preserving the control artists need for creative expression.”
How Is DLSS 5? Different?
This new DLSS 5, in games that support it, can significantly enhance lighting and shadows, but as it was previously where upscaling was handled using machine learning, this time Nvidia is amping up the game and is using generative AI to enhance and revamp lighting and shadows that look almost newly rendered. Nvidia demonstrated its capabilities in titles like the latest Resident Evil Requiem, Hogwarts' Legacy, Assassin's Creed Shadows, Starfield and Oblivion Remastered. The new lighting that the DLSS 5 is able to produce is quite off the hook and will be available on 50-series GPUs by the end of 2026.
One of the things that stands out the most with the new DLSS 5 is the character or model details; for instance, in Resident Evil Requiem, the new generative AI-aided DLSS makes the protagonist Ashcroft completely different, with fuller lips and better eyeshadow. Some might think that she put on an Instagram filter. While the thing to note here is that game texture and geometry remain the same, what changes is its light and shadows, and that itself brings in a drastic change to the overall look and feel.
Image Credits: IGN
In other demonstrations DLSS 5 can be seen completely transforming characters and their facial features; a good example of this would be Bethesda's Starfield, and this is actually making the faces look quite different from what the artist initially intended. It seems like a complete departure from Starfield's Creation Engine 2 graphics and superimposes its new augmentation over it.
Image Credits: IGN
As discussed above, this has met with mixed reactions from fans and enthusiasts alike who are flooding social media platforms with "AI Slop" memes related to DLSS 5. Some are calling it a "deep learning super slop 5", taking a dig at its full form. "Slop tracing" and “AI slop filter” are some of the other things that users on X are calling it.
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For now all we have right now is the fact that this new DLSS 5 will be coming to 50-series GPUs this fall, and right now it is only compatible with a few games. Nvidia has called this a snapshot of the future of gaming, with mixed reactions from gamers, fans and developers; it would be interesting to see what this new tech augmentation will conjure for the gaming universe in the future.