#001: A Primer on AI in the 2026 Games Industry

For the opening episode of our shiny new AI and Games Podcast - presented in association with AWS for Games - I wanted to give an overview on how and where AI exists within the video games industry. This is a follow-up to a previous piece I wrote for the website in 2024, which also became a YouTube video. This is based on sourced information that we have researched over the years as part of our content creation for AI and Games since 2014.

This is far from an exhaustive overview, and one that will continue to shift as technology trends evolve. If you want to learn more, be sure to check out:

Our main case study series on the @AIandGames YouTube Channel.
Our weekly newsletter at: http://www.aiandgames.com
This is a follow-up to a previous piece I wrote for the website in 2024, which also became a YouTube video.
Link to issue on the survey data discussed in the latter half of this episode.
Quantic Foundry survey on player interests towards Gen AI.

The AI and Games Podcast is presented by AWS for Games.

All of our work including the AI and Games YouTube series, newsletter, and this here podcast is fan-funded by our community. You can support our work and get access to bonus content by visiting AIandGames.com.