The UK's largest tabletop gaming convention, UK Games Expo, has experienced public backlash over the last couple of years due to it's allowing of AI-generated content on the trade floor. In the main, the convention has largely not responded to complaints about the increasing presence of generative AI, nor has it published an AI policy.
Other UK conventions have published policies. Dragonmeet strictly bans AI-generated content in the trade hall or in its awards, and so does Tabletop Scotland. Gen Con in the US does not permit AI-generated art in its art show, but has no policy regarding products sold in the trade halls.
However, UK Games Expo has just published an AI content policy, banning products created by, or created in significant part, by AI. It does not specify what "in significant part" means, leaving it to the organisers' discretion, so it's not clear if a 300-page book with an AI-generated cover would be prohibited.
The ban also applies to merchandising, clothing, art, and more.
An underlying aim of UK Games Expo is to support innovative and exciting ideas by creative individuals from the tabletop games industry. As such we are committed to encouraging the original works of human designers, publishers, artists, illustrators and writers.
We therefore require that our Exhibitors ensure that all products exhibited, displayed or sold have been created by humans using their own skills. Items and products that have been created or generated completely or in significant part by the use of AI tools and programmes are prohibited.
This includes but is not limited to art and text used in all forms of tabletop games and associated products and accessories, craft items, pieces of art, clothing and books both fiction and non- fiction.
The organisers at their absolute discretion will require Exhibitors who do exhibit, display or sell such items to remove them and in the case that this request is refused may close down such exhibitor’s stands and ban them from future participation at UK Games Expo.
UK Games Expo emphasizes that this policy does not preclude the use of computerised tools used for spell checking and minor editing and aiding in production or accessibility. However, the central creative process must be conducted by humans.
We therefore require that our Exhibitors ensure that all products exhibited, displayed or sold have been created by humans using their own skills. Items and products that have been created or generated completely or in significant part by the use of AI tools and programmes are prohibited.
This includes but is not limited to art and text used in all forms of tabletop games and associated products and accessories, craft items, pieces of art, clothing and books both fiction and non- fiction.
The organisers at their absolute discretion will require Exhibitors who do exhibit, display or sell such items to remove them and in the case that this request is refused may close down such exhibitor’s stands and ban them from future participation at UK Games Expo.
UK Games Expo emphasizes that this policy does not preclude the use of computerised tools used for spell checking and minor editing and aiding in production or accessibility. However, the central creative process must be conducted by humans.
Convention | AI Policy (trade floor) | AI Policy (other events) |
|---|---|---|
| Gen Con | No policy | Banned in art show only |
| UK Games Expo | Banned | Banned |
| Tabletop Scotland | Banned | Banned |
| Dragonmeet | Banned | Banned |
| Origins | Banned | No policy |
| PAX Unplugged | No policy | Banned in PAX programmes/events |
| Spiel Essen | No policy | No policy |
Update-- PAX has reached out to clarify its policy: "No sale of AI-generated artwork allowed here! Working on expanding beyond artwork. Before any at-show policy kicks in, we do screen applicants. PAX Unplugged has a curated hall with a waiting list for booth space. Companies simply are not offered space if it's clear they are pushing AI materials in products or marketing."
