How AI will reshape games, talent, and growth in 2026

"Looking ahead to 2026, the future of games will be shaped by a fundamental shift in how companies operate: how they scale creativity, empower talent, and engage players in real-time. AI is no longer a point solution, but the connective layer redefining marketing, organizational design, and player experience. Together, these predictions from SciPlay's leadership reveal how intelligence, humanity, and personalization are converging to set a new baseline for the industry."

"In 2026, companies will leverage AI tools more aggressively than ever, not just to cut costs, but to drive growth. AI will empower teams to produce a greater volume and variety of creatives, automate complex marketing and operational processes, and continuously refine lifetime value (LTV) models. The result: will be a new level of speed, personalization, and efficiency across the entire user acquisition and retention funnel."

"Adaptability, curiosity, and a willingness to learn alongside machines will become the most valuable professional traits. The hiring playbook is also being rewritten. We're shifting from pedigree to proof. Moving beyond résumés and credentials to focus on portfolios, shipped content, critical thinking and live problem-solving. Skills-based, portfolio-first hiring will open the door to more diverse, non-linear talent, empowering creators from every background to contribute meaningfully to the future of play."

By 2026, AI will act as the connective layer across marketing, organizational design, and player experience, enabling real-time engagement and personalization. Companies will use AI to scale creative output, automate complex marketing and operational processes, and continuously refine lifetime value models, increasing speed and efficiency across user acquisition and retention funnels. Talent strategies will shift toward AI fluency, adaptability, curiosity, and skills-based, portfolio-first hiring that favors proof over pedigree. Greater diversity and non-linear career paths will be enabled. Purpose and wellbeing will become strategic priorities as human creativity is amplified rather than replaced by AI.

Read at App Developer Magazine