UNLV International Gaming Institute Creates AI Research Hub

The University of Nevada, Las Vegas (UNLV) International Gaming Institute has announced a collaboration with the Responsible Online Gaming Association (ROGA), which will seek to create a laboratory to examine the risks and opportunities of AI in the gambling industry.

UNLV And ROGA Announce Collaboration

Called the AI Research Hub (AiR Hub), the initiative represents progress in utilizing artificial intelligence to assist players and advance responsible gaming strategies. As outlined in a news release, AiR Hub will function as a central hub for AI-focused research in gaming, driving the development of research projects and insights into various AI applications. 

Its goal is to shape best practices for responsible gaming in the era of AI. Additional core initiatives involve establishing benchmarking systems for essential AI technologies and developing governance tools to help regulators and operators maintain responsible oversight. AiR Hub aspires to become the industry’s leading ecosystem for AI research and a driving force behind the adoption of trustworthy and responsible AI technologies.

ROGA is rather famous for collaboration with other major institutions to spread more awareness of responsible gambling and the broader trends in the gaming industry. One very effective recent campaign was the Know Your Play campaign, launched in February, aiming to educate college-age people on responsible gambling.

Officials Talk About the New Initiative

Back to the current collaboration with UNLV, the director of research at the UNLV International Gaming Institute and co-founder of AiR Hub, Dr. Kasra Ghaharian, explained that the learning body has a long history of pioneering research in the gaming sector. Ghaharian said the institute is excited to have ROGA as a partner and explained that the association supports one of the Hub’s core objectives, which is to positively influence the trajectory of responsible gaming in the era of AI.

Meanwhile, ROGA executive director Dr. Jennifer Shatley explained that the association is committed to developing innovative responsible gaming solutions that support players and help ensure gaming remains a fun and recreational activity. ROGA views its collaboration with UNLV’s International Gaming Institute as essential for generating the research and insights needed to inform evidence-based strategies for these promising advancements in responsible gaming.

Dr. Jennifer Shatley will join AiR Hub’s Industry Advisory Panel, where she will play a key role in shaping research priorities and ensuring they align with industry needs. The advisory panel will be a vital part of AiR Hub’s transparent governance structure, designed to foster collaboration among stakeholders. These would include industry representatives, academic institutions, regulators, and various support organizations.