Concern as the gambling industry embraces AI - BBC News

Campaigners worry that the gambling industry will not use AI responsibly.

2 days agoShareclose panelShare pageCopy linkAbout sharingImage source, Alban GrosdidierImage caption, Danny Cheetham started gambling when he was 18By Nicola K SmithTechnology of Business reporter"I remember setting alarms for 4am on payday, anxiously waiting to gamble as soon as my salary hit my account. By 8am, I found myself seeking loans to survive the month."

Danny Cheetham started visiting local bookies aged 18, gambling on the Fixed Odds Betting Terminals (FOBTs). It wasn't long before he transitioned to online games. "The ease of access and the solitary nature of online gambling exacerbated my habits," says Mr Cheetham, now 34.

The latest wave of artificial intelligence (AI) has given gambling firms a new tool to work with. Companies say it enhances the customer experience.

But Mr Cheetham, and others, are not so sure: "While this technology undeniably enhances user engagement, it also has the potential to deepen addiction. The ethical dilemma here is whether the pursuit of profit is being prioritised over the welfare of individuals prone to addiction," he says.

Scotty McKeever dismisses such concerns. AI is at the core of the service offered by his firm EquinEdge.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-68304137

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