Welcome to AI and Games

Starting out as a YouTube series in 2014, and hosted by Dr Tommy Thompson, AI and Games is an educational series that aims to provide insight into how artificial intelligence is used in games, and how academic research is changing the start of the art.  The YouTube channel has accrued over 10 million views since launch and achieved recognition both among the gaming press, and the wider games industry.

Each entry of the series is a detailed and thorough analysis of the topic at hand. Ranging from groundbreaking research to classic games, we avoid the hype and discuss the realities of what’s happening in each topic in easy-to-understand language.

About Tommy

Dr Tommy Thompson has worked as a professional software engineer since graduating with his PhD in artificial intelligence for games in 2010.  After a brief stint working in the investment banking sector, he spent the next 10 years working in academia in the UK; fostering his love and enthusiasm for AI in games.

Starting as a lecturer in computer science at the University of Derby in 2012, Tommy subsequently led the BSc in Computer Games Programming, during which time both the course and Tommy himself were nominated for and won several accolades from both the UK games industry and student body alike.  After a period teaching at Anglia Ruskin University’s games courses, he ended his academic career at King’s College London and taught artificial intelligence in the Department of Informatics.  During this period, Tommy published over 50 peer-reviewed academic publications in the areas of machine learning for games, AI for non-player character design, and procedural content generation.  In addition, Tommy presented at and helped organise numerous academic and industry events around AI for games.

In 2022, Tommy became a full-time consultant and games software engineer specialising in artificial intelligence for games.  Since 2017 he has worked with companies on developing, refining, and communicating efforts in AI for video games.  His clients have ranged in size and scale, from the likes of Intel and Ubisoft to indie studios in the UK, US and farther afield.  Outside of his own business operations, he is on the advisory board of the AI Summit at the Game Developers Conference (GDC).

Stay up-to-date

You can follow along with everything right here on Substack, or join us over on YouTube on both ‘AI and Games’ and ‘AI and Games Plus’ to catch each episode as it launches. Plus listen along to our podcast ‘Branching Factor’ for longer discussions of all things AI and video game development.

Plus you can follow on a myriad of social media, be it Twitter, Mastodon or TikTok, or join the AI and Games Discord server.

Get In Touch

Tommy conducts work for a variety of technology companies big and small regarding AI for games. If you’re keen to discuss business collaborations, please contact me via email, or arrange an appointment.