AI Innovation Lab Program Leader

Revolutions surprise and unseat incumbents. That’s what makes them revolutions, not evolutions. AI’s impact on gaming (and the rest of the world) will be a revolution. “No, it’s just language pattern recognition.” “Why would someone play something made by AI?” “AI technologies can’t ever make fun gameplay.” The list of doubts is endless. We are not doubters. 15 Years ago, Supercell emerged from the belief that something special was possible in the realm of games, entertainment, and mobile phones. We believe again that something special is possible again, this time with emerging AI technologies.

Based on this belief, Supercell is establishing a unique program to enable ambitious, visionary, fearless builders to create novel gaming & gaming-related experiences, using the latest technologies available and developing new ones. We have already started piloting this program in Helsinki. We are adding a location in San Francisco. To start, design, and set up the SF program, we are looking for a leader to drive it all.

As the SF AI Innovation Lab leader, we believe you’re excited by a blank sheet - you love the ambition, creativity, and responsibility it represents. As a natural entrepreneur, you can’t wait to get off the page and into the real world, quickly turning ideas into decisions, actions, and results - all leading to this program’s first cohort, later this year. You are ready to beg/borrow/steal whatever is necessary, and you’re 100% hands-on ready to implement it all. This is a full-time, on-site role in the San Francisco/Bay Area.

Responsibilities

• Shape and contribute to program vision and design, hand-in-hand with Supercell’s AI Lead and other partners at Supercell

• Quickly execute a pilot, using the initial Helsinki-based pilot as a template

• Envision, design, set up, and operate a repeatable program

  • Annual, semi-annual, or quarterly cohorts.

  • Program resourcing (tools/token credits, technology, location, participant support).

  • Ongoing mentorship/advisory functions.

  • Hackathon, Demo Day, and other events set up and execution.

• Involvement in all areas of program development, including applicant sourcing, location scouting, budgeting, mentor/advisor recruiting, etc.

• Establish and grow AI innovation values, collaboration practices, and approaches, emphasizing and celebrating experimentation, high-risk/high-reward ideas, and long-term thinking.

• Envision, design, and test other programs, approaches, and vehicles to accelerate and support AI innovation and transformation across Supercell. The Lab program may only be the start.

Requirements

• Demonstrated, applied understanding and passion for rapidly developing AI technologies

• Hands-on experience with an accelerator (or similar program), as a participant or manager/mentor/advisor/leader/administrator

• Experience, skill, and passion for working with creative concepts and the people who conceive them

• A “T-Shaped” professional with a deep skillset in either AI/technology, disruptive innovations, startups, gaming/entertainment, or creative development, coupled with a broad skillset across all aforementioned areas.

• Entrepreneurial/Founder Mindset: lean, scrappy, fast, appreciates a scarcity of resources.

• Strong network across applicable program areas: AI technology/tools, startups, entertainment, and/or education networks

• Proven ability to inspire and mentor innovators, creators, and entrepreneurs

• Hands-on startup experience: especially product creation, product-market fit experience, understanding disruptive technologies, understanding users/players/consumers.

• Hands-on consumer/entertainment/gaming product/service experience

• Onsite work location in SF/Bay Area, full-time during program cohorts, hybrid ok between cohorts (still located in SF/Bay Area).

• Significant travel flexibility (and interest) required, spending time in Helsinki, other Supercell studios, and wherever key AI- and innovation-related events are happening around the world.

• Travel may vary, and you should anticipate a minimum of up to 50% travel.