UNLV Launches AI Research Hub to Tackle Challenges in Gaming Operations
The UNLV International Gaming Institute has established the AI Research Hub (AiR Hub) to address key issues arising from the gaming industry’s digital transformation. The initiative focuses on how artificial intelligence is changing gaming operations and what governance frameworks should guide AI use in this highly regulated sector.
Kasra Ghaharian, co-founder and director of research at the institute, highlighted the need to explore emerging technologies that operators must adopt to remain competitive. The hub also emphasizes integrating responsible AI practices aligned with academic research to ensure practical and ethical applications.
Filling a Gap in AI and Gaming Research
Although AI research related to gaming has existed, Ghaharian and co-founder Simo Dragicevic saw the absence of a centralized hub dedicated to this intersection. They aim to provide evidence-based insights to help the industry better grasp AI technology and its implications.
Ghaharian pointed out the International Gaming Institute’s role as a thought leader offering knowledge and insights across the gambling sector. With AI’s growing influence, the AiR Hub continues that tradition by focusing specifically on AI’s impact in gaming.
Raising AI Literacy and Addressing Safety Concerns
Dragicevic, an industry veteran with experience in gaming software, regulation, and AI, emphasized the importance of raising AI literacy within the sector. The gaming industry can leverage AI to create engaging entertainment experiences, but operators and regulators need the right tools and knowledge to do so effectively.
Given the gambling industry’s controversial nature and AI’s own complexities, the AiR Hub is positioned to examine safety and ethical concerns arising from this technology’s adoption. This includes balancing innovation with responsible use and regulatory oversight.
Industry Collaboration for Practical Solutions
The AiR Hub has secured financial backing from multiple industry stakeholders. Founding members will participate in an advisory panel to ensure research outputs are relevant and applicable to real-world challenges.
Ghaharian explained that the hub avoids operating in isolation. Instead, it maintains ongoing communication with industry professionals to align its work with practical needs rather than academic theory alone.
A Collaborative “Hub” Model
Unlike a traditional lab, the AiR Hub fosters collaboration among regulators, academics, and industry partners. It plans to develop frameworks and tools that help regulators ask the right questions when considering regulatory changes related to AI.
Engagement with industry operators ensures these frameworks reflect the nuances of gaming operations, making them more effective and actionable.
Exploring AI Use Across Gaming Operations
Recent AiR Hub research for the Massachusetts Gaming Commission identified four main AI application areas:
- Operational efficiencies: Using AI for back-office tasks and generating game assets
- Customer relationship management
- Player experience and engagement
- Risk management and responsible gambling, including fraud detection and identifying problematic player behavior
AI also opens new possibilities in sports betting by enhancing the user experience and in slot machine development through AI-generated visuals, video, and sound.
Preparing for Future AI Developments
With hundreds of AI research papers published weekly and new models constantly emerging, staying current is a key challenge for the AiR Hub. Its flagship project, the “State of AI in Gaming” report, will cover various aspects of AI’s role in gaming and address concerns from different stakeholders.
The goal is to provide actionable insights that help the industry adopt AI technologies responsibly while maximizing benefits.
For operations professionals aiming to stay informed on AI developments in gaming and beyond, resources like Complete AI Training’s latest AI courses offer practical learning paths to build relevant skills.
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