IAP SIE | PlayStation Explores The Nexus of AI and Gaming II

This lecture introduces the conceptual and practical foundations of the intersection between games and artificial intelligence, framing games not just as entertainment products but as a medium for agency, experimentation, and research. Beginning with fundamental questions—such as “What is a game?”—the session explores philosophical perspectives on games as structured systems of rules, goals, and interaction, as well as their role as an expressive art form that shapes player experience and identity. The lecture then situates modern game development within the broader context of AI, highlighting key research themes including player engagement, world modeling, rendering, virtual reality, and the development of realistic non-player characters. Through concrete examples, it examines how advances in machine learning—particularly in language models and computer vision—are transforming how games are built and experienced. A central focus is the role of AI as both a tool and a design partner. Topics include the use of language models for persuasion and interaction, the importance of explainable AI for understanding and shaping system behavior, and the challenges of reliability and hallucination in game assistants. The lecture introduces structured approaches such as Genie Worksheets to constrain AI systems and integrate them safely into production pipelines. Ultimately, the session frames the course as an exploration not just of techniques, but of ways of thinking—encouraging students to critically examine how AI reshapes the design space of games, the nature of player interaction, and the future of interactive media. Connect with CSAIL Alliances On our site: https://cap.csail.mit.edu/ On LinkedIn:   / mit-csail