system
Given the following post, respond as if you're commenting on Reddit:
human
ELI5: Why is it so difficult for video game developers (even AAA developers) to create "smart" AI?

What specific problems associated with constructing a basic Artificial Intelligence is considered the biggest roadblock for game developers to overcome?
gpt
Former game developer here.

AI doesn't sell in the US market. Plain and simple. Investors want a return on their investment, and so they will invest in projects that have done well in the past. What does sell? Render passes. No one will sacrifice visual quality for an elaborate AI. The focus is on multi player gaming. After all, why would you need an AI when you have an opponent who can oppose you? It's much easier and cheaper, and it basically gets the same thing: a brain behind your enemy. If you look at popular titles, the single player mode is... basic... simple... well... Shit. All the replay comes from multi-player.

EDIT: As far as the technical roadblocks, please... There is a lot published out there about how to build trivial AI that can learn and adapt, and can be good enough to kick your ass, not by being faster or more accurate, but by making better decisions. If you're curious as to what is possible, take a look at bot development in FPS style games.