AI as a tool to boost foreign trade efficiency in the gaming industry

2024 is witnessing unprecedented developments in Artificial Intelligence. The launch of Sora for video image production, the incorporation of Generative AI in language learning tools, and more recently, the integration of ChatGPT into operating systems like iOS 18, demonstrate that the change is just beginning. Not only this but in every industry where Deep Learning has penetrated, the growth of these markets has been exponential. Accenture, the global solutions service, estimates that companies that know how to leverage AI to their advantage will owe approximately 30% of their future revenue to it.

In the realm of Foreign Trade, AI is making significant advancements. This technology is penetrating all areas of the field, not only supporting a much-anticipated increase in operations volume but also providing tools to make every process faster and more efficient. Beyond the implementation of technologies such as customer service bots or instant translation of important documents, which are already widely known and cut across much of the services market, Generative AI is particularly useful for automating and speeding up tasks that benefit both Foreign Trade clients and their employees.

To further explore the subject, expert Tomás Galarza, from ASAP Comercio Exterior, provides an exhaustive analysis in which he addresses the different scopes of this tool and proposes five ideas for its implementation.

In this transition to a market where Foreign Trade can "do more with less," saving time and ultimately costs, we offer five ideas for real-world uses already being implemented to simplify international operations:

1. Understanding specific country regulations 

Customs agents must understand the complex and ever-changing regulations of countries related to the gaming industry. This includes state and federal laws as well as supranational regulations (e.g., Mercosur, EU). In the gaming world, transporting such goods requires crystal-clear knowledge of the rules and meeting the required safety standards for transportation.

Specifically, a slot machine reseller might want to export from Japan to Texas but first store the equipment in North Carolina. Ignorance of both state law and the "Johnson Federal Law" would result in a crime that could have not only monetary but also legal consequences.

AI can help explain regulations by outlining the permits, documents, and standards required for importing certain goods.

2. Optimization of merchandise distribution in the container

Once the cargo has arrived, the work of Artificial Intelligence does not end there. AI can also help distribute the goods within a certain available space. This is useful not only for organizing equipment in a warehouse or, for example, a convention stand but also for planning the distribution of goods within the shipping container itself.

In the gaming industry, this is particularly convenient to maximize available space while ensuring the merchandise travels safely. This aims to reduce transportation costs and also prevent any damage that might occur once the merchandise is shipped.

3. Assembly and disassembly training

Proper protection of goods during transport is a fundamental part of the international supply chain. It is estimated that in the U.S. alone, annual costs for cargo damage amount to USD 1,800,000,000. This is another area where AI can help.

Considering the fragility of casino equipment, AI can assist in the care and handling of equipment by training transport and storage personnel on the disassembly, packaging, and assembly of the equipment.

For example, if an electronic roulette wheel needs to be transported, it is important that the personnel handling it are familiar with all components to protect it. AI can also help identify the most fragile parts of the equipment, explaining how to disassemble them or, alternatively, pack these components with an additional layer of security.

4. Review of interventions

Once the special requirements for the goods to be transported have been managed, AI can help verify the information on the Invoice and/or Proforma with the corresponding certificates. ChatGPT can scan the information from two or more documents to ensure that the model, series, and technical data match. 

This is particularly useful for gaming equipment that requires electrical safety interventions. In these cases, the slightest discrepancy in the processing, file, or certificate number can result in serious sanctions and delays that could potentially generate extra costs for the client. The fact that ChatGPT can read up to 25,000 words in seconds helps add another layer of review to the presentation of important documents.

5. Route Optimization

Once the relevant documentation has been collected and submitted, ChatGPT version 4o can extract live information from the web to suggest the best possible routes for our shipment.

Although this is not exclusive to the gaming industry, this function is of vital importance in a field where exhibitions, launches, and simply client deliveries make punctual delivery an extremely necessary tool. Minimizing travel time for merchandise is crucial as it allows machines and supplies to be available and in use as soon as possible to increase profitability. Even with only a deadline and an estimate of the merchandise to be imported/exported, this technology allows us to estimate how many days in advance we need to ship the cargo.

By providing the chatbot with information about the merchandise, it can suggest the best mode of transport that suits the dimensions, specifications, and delivery times for it.

In summary, artificial intelligence is playing a crucial role in the innovation and automation of every stage of the logistics process. Moreover, this technology is providing professionals in the field with the ability to develop specific solutions tailored to their needs. From understanding complex regulations to optimizing transport and verifying certifications, AI not only improves efficiency and reduces costs for clients but also enables Foreign Trade companies to remain competitive in an increasingly dynamic and demanding market.