Mohamed bin Zayed University of Artificial Intelligence (MBZUAI) recently hosted the second session of its flagship community engagement platform, MAILIS, in partnership with Abu Dhabi Gaming. The gathering, themed AI Joins the Game, brought together leading experts, students, and researchers to delve into the impact of artificial intelligence on the gaming industry—from gameplay innovation and storytelling to the exploration of diverse career pathways.
As part of MBZUAI’s Year of Community outreach initiative, MAILIS serves as a vibrant meeting point for dialogue and inspiration, connecting academia, industry, and future visionaries to shape the UAE’s AI leadership. The latest session featured distinguished voices, including Rawdha Almeraikhi (Director of Outreach at MBZUAI), Hamdan Al Ali (Ph.D. Candidate in Natural Language Processing at MBZUAI), Boris Kalmykov (Co-founder and CEO of Hypemasters and former executive at Meta and Unity), Marcos Muller-Habig (Abu Dhabi Gaming Sector Enablement Director), and Ariana Bermudez (Project Manager, MBZUAI).
Participants exchanged insights on how AI is redefining creativity in the ever-evolving world of gaming, shining a spotlight on opportunities for local talent to drive global innovation. Through collaboration with Abu Dhabi Gaming—a government initiative catalyzing the emirate’s transformation into a global gaming hub—the session reflected the region’s growing influence.
Kicking off the session, Rawdha Almeraikhi emphasized MBZUAI’s mission to build platforms that empower young minds and spark innovation. In her words:
“Our MAILIS initiative offers an inclusive space where meaningful conversations begin with young minds, seasoned experts, and aspiring creators, who are excited and passionate about how AI can transform industries such as health, energy, creative arts, transport, and education. In this session, we explored the gaming universe through an AI lens, bridging imagination and innovation.”
The programme included remarks from Marcos Muller-Habig, who highlighted AI’s rising role in reshaping the gaming sector by creating new careers and fueling business ambitions.
He stated:
“Artificial intelligence is not here to replace creativity or human ingenuity – it’s here to amplify it. In gaming, AI is unlocking new possibilities that were once unimaginable, from personalising player experiences to more immersive storytelling. At Abu Dhabi Gaming we are fostering local talent in this evolving space, supporting individuals and companies that are exploring new ways to move the industry forward. Abu Dhabi is rapidly becoming a global hub for innovation in gaming, with AI serving as a powerful tool to create new roles and business opportunities – and we’re excited to be a part of this movement.”
Boris Kalmykov conducted a compelling session on how AI is revolutionising gameplay and player experiences, drawing from his extensive global experience in gaming and technology. His insights underscored AI’s transformative power in both the business and storytelling aspects of modern games.
Further spotlighting original work, MBZUAI Ph.D. students showcased their projects. Ariana Bermudez Venegas presented her research on computer vision and human avatars, focusing on AI simulation and real-time interaction within virtual environments. Hamdan Hamid Al-Ali, a system developer at Dubai Police and NLP Ph.D. candidate, introduced AI-powered games inspired by Emirati heritage, such as Al Sharah and Emirati Tales, which creatively blend cultural storytelling and educational game mechanics.
The session concluded with a lively Q&A, inviting audience members and speakers to explore how AI can shape the creative economy’s future.
As MBZUAI’s MAILIS continues to flourish, it remains a vital platform for connecting academia, industry, and community around AI’s most exciting possibilities. With a focus on gaming and creative industries, this session reaffirmed MBZUAI’s commitment to nurturing young talent, inspiring innovation, and strengthening the UAE’s leadership in responsible and inclusive AI.
Team V.4-EM-UAE
