Invitation to SSFR online seminar
What: SSFR invites you to an online seminar on “What will AI do to your job?”. After the seminar we will host the SSFR’s annual member meeting (årsmöte).
When: Monday March 17, 14.30 – 16.00 (seminar). 16.00 (årsmöte)
Where: https://his-se.zoom.us/j/69008938316?pwd=bxK9azcabDnTazrHuOgWpnmzC2wxNY.1
In the 2024 Game Developer Index the importance of Artificial Intelligence as a tool for game development is highlighted. The tools are here and in use but how will they affect professional roles and change the job market for game developers in the future? AI is already in use in several professions since some time. Examples include production of art, programming and moderation of chat functions. There are also discussions on the ethical and professional aspects of generative AI as it may bring risks of infringement on the rights of developers and concerns regarding the ability to protect intellectual properties.
At this upcoming SSFR seminar we would like to discuss this from the perspectives of research, education and professional aspects. We have an expert panel consisting of Julian Togelius (New York University and University of Skövde), José Maria Font (Malmö University), Ulf Wilhelmsson (University of Skövde) and Henrik Nel Jerkrot (former CEO of MindArk). The seminar will feature an introduction and overview to the topic by Julian Togelius followed by a panel discussion offering plenty of room for questions to the panel.
Topics for discussion include but are not limited to:
- AI and creativity
- Job market for game developers
- Effects on education of game developers
- Ethical considerations
Julian Togelius is an Associate Professor in the Department of Computer Science and Engineering, New York University, a Guest Professor at University of Skövde, and a co-founder of modl.ai. He works on artificial intelligence for games and on games for artificial intelligence. His current main research directions involve procedural content generation in games, general video game playing, player modeling, and fair and relevant benchmarking of AI through game-based competitions. Additionally, he works on topics in evolutionary computation, quality-diversity algorithms, and reinforcement learning.
From 2018 to 2021, he was the Editor-in-Chief of the IEEE Transactions on Games. Togelius holds a BA from Lund University, an MSc from the University of Sussex, and a PhD from the University of Essex. He has previously worked at IDSIA in Lugano and at the IT University of Copenhagen.
José Font is Associate Professor in Computer Science at Malmö University and holds a PhD in artificial intelligence from the Universidad Politécnica de Madrid.
His research focuses on artificial intelligence and computational intelligence in games, exploring the ways in which AI can be a productive and creative tool during the video game development process, such as procedural content generation and mixed-initiative creative tools. He is also active in gamification, e-learning, and purposeful games.
Ulf Wilhelmsson holds a Ph.D. (2002) from the University of Copenhagen, Denmark. He has been doing games research since 1997 when he began his Ph.D. education. Ulf is a long-time faculty member of the University of Skövde Sweden (30+ years) and is currently associate professor in media arts, aesthetics and narration at the School of informatics, division of game development. The most recent project he has been involved with has focused on the development of a serious game for Android smartphones, promoting a healthy life style for children. His research interests are quite broad and includes games in general, game audio, player agency, inclusive game design and serious games, especially games for health. Ulf is also one of the initiators behind the computer game development educations at the University of Skövde
Henrik Nel Jerkrot served as the CEO of MindArk PE AB between 2017 and 2024, the company behind Entropia Universe, a virtual world with a real-cash economy. During his time as CEO, Henrik guided the company through several transformative years, including its listing on the stock exchange in 2023 and MindArk’s initial AI transformation. Henrik studied for a Master of Science in Industrial Engineering and Management at Chalmers University of Technology, and in 2021, he was a finalist for ”Young CEO of the Year.” Henrik is passionate about gaming, leadership, and creating sustainable digital experiences, to mention a few.
