That was the question at the heart of GameForge 2026, the national conclave on “AI and the Evolving Landscape of E-Sports”, hosted by Jio Institute in collaboration with the Indian Digital Gaming Society (IDGS). Bringing together industry leaders, entrepreneurs, technology experts, educators and students, the conclave explored a gaming ecosystem that is rapidly moving beyond play into technology, business, creativity, employment and new-age careers.

The conversation began with a powerful shift in perspective. In his opening address, Indrajit Ghosh, Academy Council Co-chair, Indian Digital Gaming Society, spoke about the need to see gaming and esports not as a passing interest, but as a serious ecosystem worth investing in. GameForge, he noted, brings academia and industry together at a time when emerging technologies are reshaping how young people think about careers, creativity and enterprise.

That transformation is already visible in the way games are created and experienced. Shashank Bandharu, Founder & CEO, Outfox Gaming, highlighted how AI is becoming embedded across the gaming ecosystem. From matchmaking players based on skill and data to enabling real-time multilingual commentary and creating dynamic game environments, AI is changing both sides of the screen. Imagine watching an esports tournament in Brazil and hearing the commentary in your language in real time. Or changing the world inside a game from morning to evening with a simple command. These possibilities point to how dramatically the gaming experience could evolve.

But AI is only one part of a much bigger story. Esports today is an ecosystem that includes athletes and teams, but also tournament organisers, broadcasters, commentators, publishers, fintech companies, marketers, content creators and community managers. With affordable smartphones, expanding internet access and a young population, India is emerging as a significant market for gaming and esports.

This naturally raises another question: Where are the careers?

Moderated by Narinder Kapur, Senior Analyst and Global Business Development Professional, Niko Partners, the panel on “India’s Opportunity: Skilling Beyond Code: Careers in E-Sports” brought together diverse perspectives from across the industry. One of its strongest messages was that a career in esports does not necessarily mean becoming a professional gamer.

The discussion pointed to at least 40 career pathways emerging across gaming and esports. Game art, game design, coding, broadcasting, production, marketing, content creation and community management are just some of the possibilities. The industry is creating opportunities for people with very different interests and skill sets.

That makes the role of education particularly important. The panel highlighted a gap between student interest and industry readiness. Knowing multiple software tools is not enough. Students need deeper expertise, practical exposure and a clearer understanding of the roles they are preparing for. Most importantly, passion needs to be matched with purpose. Industry leaders noted that applicants may be enthusiastic about gaming but often lack clarity about what a particular role actually involves.

For universities, the opportunity goes beyond introducing a gaming course. It is about creating the ecosystem around it through centres of excellence, industry partnerships, specialised faculty, internships, coaching and relevant infrastructure.

As Vishal Parekh, COO, CyberPowerPC India, pointed out, a centre of excellence cannot simply be a conventional computer lab with a few gaming machines. Professional esports require the right hardware, high-performance systems and appropriate streaming and production environments.

And where does AI fit into the future of these careers?

The panel offered a clear answer: AI should be seen as a collaborator, not a competitor. It can accelerate graphic design, content creation and repetitive tasks, but the human dimensions of esports remain essential. Coaching, mentorship, strategy, team dynamics and player psychology require human understanding and judgement.

For students, the takeaway was equally direct: follow your passion but use AI to build faster. AI can be a playground for experimentation, helping young creators test ideas, develop skills and turn concepts into tangible outcomes.

That is what made GameForge 2026 more than a conversation about gaming. It became a conversation about the future of work, learning and talent.

The playing field is changing. The technology is changing. The careers are changing. And for India, the opportunity is to ensure that its young talent, educational institutions and industry evolve together.

The future of esports may be played on a screen. But building that future will take an entire ecosystem.