emirates7 - Mohamed bin Zayed University of Artificial Intelligence (MBZUAI) recently hosted the second edition of its flagship community engagement initiative, MAILIS, in collaboration with Abu Dhabi Gaming.
Titled "AI Joins the Game", the session explored how artificial intelligence is increasingly shaping the gaming industry — from gameplay innovation and storytelling to career development.
As part of MBZUAI’s Year of Community outreach campaign, MAILIS serves as a forum that brings together students, researchers, and industry professionals to exchange ideas and inspire the next generation of AI leaders in the UAE.
The latest session welcomed several notable speakers, including Rawdha Almeraikhi, MBZUAI’s Director of Outreach; Ph.D. candidate Hamdan Al Ali (specialising in Natural Language Processing); Boris Kalmykov, CEO and Co-founder of Hypemasters and former executive at Meta and Unity; Marcos Muller-Habig, Abu Dhabi Gaming’s Sector Enablement Director; and MBZUAI Project Manager Ariana Bermudez.
The event highlighted the growing role of AI in enhancing creativity and innovation within gaming, while also showcasing how local talent can contribute to the global evolution of the industry. It was held in collaboration with Abu Dhabi Gaming, a government-backed initiative working to position the emirate as a leading global hub for gaming.
Opening the session, Rawdha Almeraikhi delivered a keynote highlighting MBZUAI’s dedication to empowering youth and driving innovation. She remarked:
> “MAILIS is an inclusive space where young thinkers, experienced experts, and passionate creators come together to explore how AI can reshape industries—from healthcare and education to transportation and the arts. This session opened new perspectives on gaming through the lens of AI, blending creativity and technology.”
Marcos Muller-Habig followed with insights into how AI is revolutionising the gaming sector—not by replacing human creativity, but by enhancing it.
> “AI is expanding the boundaries of what’s possible in gaming—from customising player experiences to crafting deeper narratives,” he said. “Abu Dhabi is rapidly evolving into a global innovation hub, and we’re proud to support local talent and businesses exploring AI’s role in the future of gaming.”
Boris Kalmykov offered an in-depth look at how AI is reshaping gameplay and player experiences. Drawing from his experience in the global tech and gaming sectors, he examined AI’s potential to transform both the business and storytelling aspects of games.
The session also highlighted research by MBZUAI Ph.D. students. Ariana Bermudez Venegas presented her work in computer vision and virtual human avatars, focusing on real-time AI interactions in digital environments. Meanwhile, Hamdan Hamid Al-Ali, also a developer at Dubai Police, showcased AI-powered games based on Emirati culture — Al Sharah and Emirati Tales — which blend traditional storytelling with educational game design.
The programme concluded with a lively Q&A, encouraging dialogue between speakers and attendees about AI’s broader impact on the creative economy.
Through MAILIS, MBZUAI continues to bridge the gap between academia, industry, and the wider community. By spotlighting gaming and the creative industries, this session underscored the university’s mission to develop future AI leaders, spark innovation, and support the UAE’s growing role in shaping inclusive and responsible AI on a global scale.
Titled "AI Joins the Game", the session explored how artificial intelligence is increasingly shaping the gaming industry — from gameplay innovation and storytelling to career development.
As part of MBZUAI’s Year of Community outreach campaign, MAILIS serves as a forum that brings together students, researchers, and industry professionals to exchange ideas and inspire the next generation of AI leaders in the UAE.
The latest session welcomed several notable speakers, including Rawdha Almeraikhi, MBZUAI’s Director of Outreach; Ph.D. candidate Hamdan Al Ali (specialising in Natural Language Processing); Boris Kalmykov, CEO and Co-founder of Hypemasters and former executive at Meta and Unity; Marcos Muller-Habig, Abu Dhabi Gaming’s Sector Enablement Director; and MBZUAI Project Manager Ariana Bermudez.
The event highlighted the growing role of AI in enhancing creativity and innovation within gaming, while also showcasing how local talent can contribute to the global evolution of the industry. It was held in collaboration with Abu Dhabi Gaming, a government-backed initiative working to position the emirate as a leading global hub for gaming.
Opening the session, Rawdha Almeraikhi delivered a keynote highlighting MBZUAI’s dedication to empowering youth and driving innovation. She remarked:
> “MAILIS is an inclusive space where young thinkers, experienced experts, and passionate creators come together to explore how AI can reshape industries—from healthcare and education to transportation and the arts. This session opened new perspectives on gaming through the lens of AI, blending creativity and technology.”
Marcos Muller-Habig followed with insights into how AI is revolutionising the gaming sector—not by replacing human creativity, but by enhancing it.
> “AI is expanding the boundaries of what’s possible in gaming—from customising player experiences to crafting deeper narratives,” he said. “Abu Dhabi is rapidly evolving into a global innovation hub, and we’re proud to support local talent and businesses exploring AI’s role in the future of gaming.”
Boris Kalmykov offered an in-depth look at how AI is reshaping gameplay and player experiences. Drawing from his experience in the global tech and gaming sectors, he examined AI’s potential to transform both the business and storytelling aspects of games.
The session also highlighted research by MBZUAI Ph.D. students. Ariana Bermudez Venegas presented her work in computer vision and virtual human avatars, focusing on real-time AI interactions in digital environments. Meanwhile, Hamdan Hamid Al-Ali, also a developer at Dubai Police, showcased AI-powered games based on Emirati culture — Al Sharah and Emirati Tales — which blend traditional storytelling with educational game design.
The programme concluded with a lively Q&A, encouraging dialogue between speakers and attendees about AI’s broader impact on the creative economy.
Through MAILIS, MBZUAI continues to bridge the gap between academia, industry, and the wider community. By spotlighting gaming and the creative industries, this session underscored the university’s mission to develop future AI leaders, spark innovation, and support the UAE’s growing role in shaping inclusive and responsible AI on a global scale.