Supercell has officially opened applications for its AI Innovation Lab, a nine-week programme designed to support developers and founders working at the intersection of artificial intelligence and games. The programme aims to help participants turn early concepts into practical gaming products, providing both mentorship and technical resources along the way.
Selected teams will work on-site in Supercell’s hubs located in Helsinki, Tokyo, or San Francisco. The company offers office space, development tools, compute resources, mentorship, and housing support to facilitate a focused development environment. The Spring 2026 cohort will begin with a one-week Arctic Buildcamp in Finnish Lapland. This initial event is intended to help teams align their projects, establish collaboration, and refine their prototypes before starting the main nine-week lab programme.
Throughout the programme, participants will have access to experienced game developers and AI specialists. They will work on building AI-driven gaming projects with the guidance of mentors and the support of a community of builders focused on practical applications of AI in gaming. The lab concludes with a showcase at Supercell’s headquarters in Finland, where teams will present their projects to company leadership and industry professionals.
Opportunities Beyond the Lab
Exceptional teams may be invited to continue working with Supercell through a new games incubator, offering the potential to become a full Supercell game team. In addition, participants could explore funding opportunities directly from Supercell or be considered for employment within the company, depending on project outcomes and alignment with the studio’s strategic goals.
Applications are open to individuals or teams of up to three people who can commit to being on-site for the full programme. A clear project vision and the ability to execute on it are required for consideration. The application deadline is February 22, 2026, and the programme will run from March 23 to May 23, 2026.
Global AI Game Hack
Alongside the AI Innovation Lab, Supercell will host a Global AI Game Hack from February 6 to 8. The hackathon is designed to provide top-performing teams with a fast-track opportunity to secure an interview for the lab. This event serves as an additional entry point for developers looking to work with AI in game development.
Advancing AI in Gaming
The AI Innovation Lab reflects the growing integration of AI technologies in game development. Participants will explore applications such as procedural content creation, player behavior analysis, and real-time game balancing. By combining mentorship, technical resources, and structured development time, Supercell aims to accelerate the creation of practical AI-driven gaming experiences.
Source: Pocket Gamer
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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What is the Supercell AI Innovation Lab?
The AI Innovation Lab is a nine-week programme for developers and founders working at the intersection of AI and games. It provides mentorship, resources, and workspace to help participants develop early-stage projects into working prototypes.
Where is the programme located?
Participants will work on-site in Helsinki, Tokyo, or San Francisco. The programme begins with a one-week Arctic Buildcamp in Finnish Lapland.
Who can apply?
Applications are open to individuals or teams of up to three people who have a clear project vision and the ability to execute. Full physical presence during the programme is required.
When does the programme run?
The Spring 2026 cohort runs from March 23 to May 23, 2026. Applications close on February 22, 2026.
Are there opportunities beyond the lab?
Yes, standout teams may be invited to join Supercell’s new games incubator, raise funding directly from the company, or be considered for employment.
What is the Global AI Game Hack?
The Global AI Game Hack is a three-day hackathon from February 6 to 8, offering top teams a fast-track opportunity to be interviewed for the AI Innovation Lab.
Does the lab focus on web3 technologies?
While the lab primarily focuses on AI-driven game development, it does not explicitly center on web3, though participants may explore AI applications in web3 gaming if relevant to their projects.
