As artificial intelligence steps into the gaming spotlight, women must play a vital role in shaping its future, according to panelists in Monday’s discussion at G2E, titled “Women in AI: Pioneering the Next Generation of Casino Tech.”
The speakers tackled AI’s impact on game development, customer engagement, responsible-gambling initiatives, and the pressing necessity to address bias in AI algorithms, emphasizing the need for female voices in AI development. Their insights underscored a critical truth: diversity is essential for ethical innovation in the gaming industry.
Moderated by Stacy Baron, the panel featured four influential women in AI and gaming: Christina (Tina) Vaca Rankin, co-founder of the All In Diversity Project and CEO of an AI startup; Jamie Shea, a veteran in sports betting and gaming; and Brett Labarbenell, Executive Director of the University of Nevada Las Vegas, International Gaming Institute. These experts shared their thoughts on how AI is not only enhancing operations, but also raising important ethical concerns about bias, diversity, and responsibility.
“We can’t put our heads in the sand and say, ‘Oh, this is going to be really cool when it’s done,’” Tina emphasized, calling for immediate action to tackle biases embedded in AI algorithms. “We need to be participants now in constructing what it looks like and what the guardrails are.”
AI is making significant strides in gaming, especially in personalized customer engagement, game development, and esports. Brett Labarbenell discussed AI’s potential in these areas, citing the work of Dan Saul at the International Gaming Institute. “AI can create new avenues for fan engagement, improve betting lines, and analyze player behavior in esports,” she explained. This capability is just the beginning, as AI continues to integrate into the gaming ecosystem.
Jamie Shea echoed this sentiment, highlighting how AI helps collect and analyze data to enhance customer experiences. “AI is enabling us to deliver personalized gaming experiences like never before,” she said. However, Jamie also pointed out the importance of understanding AI’s limitations and avoiding over-reliance on technology.
AI is also a powerful tool for promoting responsible gambling. Tina noted that AI can intervene in gambling behavior before it becomes problematic by analyzing customer data and predicting patterns. “AI allows us to deliver personalized content to help players manage their behavior, which is invaluable for promoting responsible gambling,” she said. The panelists agreed that when used ethically, AI can help protect players and create safer environments in both online and land-based casinos.
However, the effectiveness of AI in responsible-gambling initiatives depends on the diversity of the data it analyzes. As Tina pointed out, “AI needs to communicate in multiple languages, particularly when delivering responsible-gambling messages to diverse populations.”
A key concern raised during the panel was the issue of bias in AI development. As AI becomes more integrated into gaming, ensuring that algorithms do not perpetuate existing gender, racial, or socioeconomic biases is crucial.
Jamie Shea warned against reproducing biases within artificial intelligence systems if their creators lack diverse backgrounds. “What we put into AI is what we will get out. If our teams aren’t diverse, the outputs will not reflect a diverse world,” she said. The panelists advocated for hiring more women and individuals from underrepresented groups in AI development to counter this.
Brett added, “Historically, technology has been developed with biases that favor specific groups. To overcome this in AI, we need diverse data sets and teams.” This sentiment resonated with all the panelists, who stressed that diversity in AI development is key to building fair and ethical systems that benefit everyone.
As casinos and gaming companies adopt these tools, the panelists emphasized the importance of future-proofing investments. Tina suggested businesses look beyond AI’s current capabilities and consider its future potential. “We’re nowhere near what AI can be,” she explained. “Think about AI not just for today’s needs, but for how it can transform land-based casinos in the years to come.”
Brett advised companies to focus on their specific needs when purchasing AI tools. “Don’t be swayed by the latest trends,” she said. “Understand what you want AI to do for your business and invest accordingly.”
The panel concluded with a powerful call to action for the gaming industry to actively shape the future of AI. “We need to get involved now,” Tina urged. “This technology will impact everyone and if we’re not careful, it could reinforce the very biases we’re trying to overcome.”
By addressing bias, ensuring diversity in development teams, and focusing on ethical applications, the gaming industry has the chance to harness AI’s potential and create a more inclusive and equitable future. As Jamie put it, “AI is a tool and like any tool, it’s only as good as the people using it.”
