Events

Date: 14 October 2026   Time: 13:30 - 14:30     

Location: Empire House, Basement (67-75 New Road, London E1 1HH) Map 

Game AI group and iGGi CDT seminar

Date: Wednesday, 14 October 2026
Time: informal light buffet starts13:00; talk starts 13:30
Location: Empire House, Basement (67-75 New Road, London E1 1HH)
Hybrid option: online Teams link (13:30 start)
Title: Game AI isn't Dead. It's Just Resting

Abstract:
AI has quietly supported the world around us for decades - and maybe nowhere so impactfully than in Games where it has allowed us to create enemies that respond to player interactions, managed worlds that act and react dynamically, created levels that have delighted our players and even selected the opponents that we face off against in our competitive matches.

So what changed?

In this session, join Dr Luke Dicken for an in-depth look at how today's understanding of "AI" differs from what we've historically done, how GenAI has come to dominate the landscape, and why that might have some dire implications for everyone. Along the way we'll talk about some areas of games that are still ripe for experimentation with traditional systems - and what the real, optimistic future of game technology might look like.

Bio:
Dr Luke Dicken was building game AI long before the current hype cycle. With four degrees in AI to his name, his PhD technically targeted "Simulated Virtual Worlds" because at that time his university wasn't comfortable printing the word "Games" on the cover of a doctoral thesis.

Over the last 15 years, Luke has shaped the architecture of modern gaming, spending a decade driving studio innovation at Zynga and most recently serving as the Head of AI for Take-Two Interactive. Alongside his corporate track record, he spent seven years supporting the next generation of industry talent as Chair of the IGDA Foundation. He is currently based in Northern California, where he is researching a state-of-the-art work/life balance framework with his two dogs until his next venture begins.