NEW YORK, USA
There is so much written about AI these days that it is easy to become bored with it. Everyone seems to be using it or at least claiming that its use will revolutionise everything by next week. But when it comes to gaming, especially to online gaming platforms, we have to note that AI is not some futuristic concept. It is already sitting quietly behind the scenes doing a surprising amount of work.
And honestly, a lot of that work is pretty useful for players.
The days of waiting forever for support
One of the more annoying aspects of playing games on the internet used to be customer service. You may have a question about your withdrawal, a query about bonuses or issues logging in, and before you know it you are on the phone for hours wondering whether anyone is listening.
Now, any leading online gaming service offers AI chat systems, which have had a huge impact on how companies deal with these queries. They can answer frequently asked questions, explain bonuses, assist with payments and direct users to tools that promote responsible gambling. They’re not foolproof, and sometimes you’ll still need to speak with a human being, but they save you a lot of unnecessary trouble when it comes to problems that can be easily resolved.
Better games
This is the part many players do not notice. AI helps developers analyse how people interact with games. Which menus confuse players? Which bonus features get ignored? Where do people leave the game?
That information helps studios build cleaner interfaces, faster mobile versions and games that are easier to navigate. Console and PC games use the same idea. Smarter opponents, more believable characters and worlds that react to what players do are often powered by AI systems.
The bit that really matters: spotting trouble early
Regarding AI from the perspective of player protection is where things become truly fascinating.
Gaming platforms can apply AI to detect peculiar patterns in the behaviour of players. For example, a person might start depositing more money than before. Maybe this person starts to play longer than usual or attempts to deposit repeatedly and fails. Any of these patterns may result in alerts and the platform can intervene and remind the player about their limits, options for cooling off or available help. AI is able to notice warning signs much earlier than a person checking accounts 24 hours a day.
It is not just gaming platforms
The same technology is showing up across gaming. AI has made it possible to catch cheaters and abusive players in multiplayer games. Betting companies employ AI systems for identifying suspicious bets. Mobile game publishers use it to block bots that can wreck competitive games.
So the idea of AI protecting players is much broader than online gaming platforms.
So, can AI protect players?
Probably more than most people realise.
It can answer questions faster, tailor offers better, improve game design and, most importantly, help identify risky behaviour before it becomes a bigger problem. It will not remove every risk from gambling or gaming, and it should not be treated as a miracle cure.
But if AI is being used as an extra pair of eyes rather than just an extra sales tool, then players may end up being one of the biggest winners from the whole AI boom.
