Gaming company Razer and the National University of Singapore (NUS) on Wednesday (5 Aug 2026) launched a joint research lab aimed at advancing artificial intelligence within the gaming industry.
The lab will tap NUS’ AI research capabilities and Razer’s expertise to explore a new domain called gaming artificial narrow intelligence (Gani).
The partnership is part of Razer’s push to develop a software and AI layer around its core hardware business, said chief strategy officer Lee Li Ming.
“The hardware, to us, is the simple thing,” he said, adding that the challenge is in the software layer that powers products across different form factors.
As AI continues to evolve, Razer has been pushing the boundaries of the technology through various software investments.
“We have been investing in software without making any money,” Lee said. “It’s never about making money in the first place. It is to make sure the gamers get closer to us.”
Razer will “probably look at making money” from AI eventually, he added, but did not disclose any plans on how it intends to monetise its AI products.
The new AI lab, located within NUS, will house 15 to 20 researchers from the university’s School of Computing. Razer staff will support the projects on an ad hoc basis.
The lab’s research focus has three main pillars: core model innovation, real-time content systems, and advanced personalisation capabilities.
Razer did not disclose the amount invested into the lab.
Gani centres on AI models that are specially designed for interactive digital environments, and will be used to adapt and enhance gameplay experience, said Lee.
For example, it could generate context-aware objectives and dialogue in real time, or adapt difficulty during live matches to enhance engagement and fairness.
He noted that Razer would need to work with other gaming industry players as well to drive the research.
“We know we cannot do it alone,” he said, adding that the joint lab will work with PhD students to give them a chance to translate their research into physical and more tangible outcomes.
