The UNLV International Gaming Institute (IGI) is set to redefine the industry’s understanding of technological progress at the upcoming NEXT: NYC Summit 2026. Representing the AI Research Hub (AiR Hub), co-founders Dr. Kasra Ghaharian and Simo Dragicevic will lead two strategic AI sessions on March 10th and 11th, including the world debut of the inaugural “State of AI in Gaming” flagship report, a landmark collaborative study between AiR Hub and KPMG.
Featured Sessions
- State of AI in Gaming: The Maturity Index Debut
- Time: Tuesday, March 10 | 2:00 PM – 2:25 PM EDT
- Speakers: Dr. Kasra Ghaharian, Director of Research, UNLV IGI and Rick Arpin, Office Managing Partner, KPMG
- Overview: As AI moves from experimental pilots to core infrastructure, the gambling industry faces a critical turning point. In this session, the UNLV IGI and KPMG debut their inaugural “State of AI in Gaming” flagship report—the first comprehensive index to systematically measure AI maturity across the global gambling value chain. Moving beyond the hype, attendees will gain a first look at a novel benchmarking framework: a rigorous, evidence-based assessment that translates academic depth into the industry’s first definitive AI maturity index.
- The AI Gamble: Can Technology Protect Players?
- Time: Wednesday, March 11 | 10:35 AM - 11:05 AM EDT
- Moderator: Simo Dragicevic, Co-founder, AiR Hub
- Panelists:
- Adam Warrington, VP, Responsible Gaming, Underdog
- Phil Sherwood, Senior Director of Responsible Gaming, PrizePicks
- Rasmus Kjaergaard, CEO, Mindway AI
- Martin Lycka, VP Institutional Affairs, Oddin.gg
- Overview: Can AI really spot problem gambling before it happens? From chatbots to predictive tools, technology promises smarter safeguards—but what if it misses the signs? This session explores the practicalities of tech-driven Responsible Gaming. The panel features leaders from DFS giants, AI specialists, and regulatory experts who will discuss what works, what doesn’t, and how operators are putting these innovations into practice to create a sustainable safety net for players.
About AiR HUB
AiR Hub (Artificial Intelligence Research Hub) is the industry’s first academic-led ecosystem dedicated to collaborative AI research. It’s mission is to advance the emerging discipline of AI within the gambling sector and create the industry’s ecosystem for collaborative AI research. Created within UNLV’s International Gaming Institute, AiR Hub will conduct novel, critical, and impactful research, initially focusing on the most pressing areas from a business and societal perspective. AiR Hub aims to accelerate the adoption of trusted and responsible AI through international collaboration across all key stakeholders; industry, academia, regulators, and support sectors.
Event Registration
NEXT: NYC Summit 2026 is North America’s premier gathering for iGaming and sports betting decision-makers. Click here for the full event agenda and registration details.