UK Games Expo is one of the biggest events in the UK tabletop community, bringing together publishers, designers, artists, writers and many vendors. In a newly announced policy, the organizers require exhibitors to ensure that products displayed or sold at the event are created through human skill.
The rule applies quite broadly. Beyond tabletop games themselves, the policy also covers images and text used in games, accessories, crafts, artwork, clothing and both fiction and non-fiction books. Products created wholly or substantially with AI tools will not be allowed at UK Games Expo.
Notably, UKGE doesn’t completely ban every form of computer-assisted tooling. The organizers still allow tools for spell checking, minor edits, supporting the production process or improving accessibility. The condition is that these tools play only a supporting role, while the main creative process must still be carried out by humans.
The policy also sets out clear consequences for violations. If a product is found not to meet the requirements, the organizers can ask the exhibitor to remove it from their booth. If the exhibitor refuses, UKGE can close the booth and ban the exhibitor from future events.
The move comes after UK Games Expo received mixed feedback regarding the use of AI in the tabletop community. The event had previously been criticized for having no specific rules on AI-generated content, while some creators and attendees argued that products using this technology needed clearer controls.
Notably, the new policy was introduced after UK Games Expo 2026, when AI had become a hotly debated topic in the tabletop community. Some creators had publicly called on UKGE to take a clearer stance on products using AI-generated images and content.
With the new rules, UK Games Expo is drawing a clearer line for exhibitors who want to take part. Rather than focusing only on the games themselves, the policy covers illustrations, written content and related merchandise as well.
UKGE isn’t the only tabletop event to introduce AI rules. Several other conventions and events in the tabletop community have also created policies restricting or banning AI-generated products, showing that this is becoming an issue event organizers care about more and more.
According to UK Games Expo, the next event will return to Birmingham from June 4 to 6, 2027, held at the NEC Birmingham and the Hilton Hotel. UKGE currently describes itself as the largest hobby games convention in the UK.
UK Games Expo’s new policy means publishers and vendors who want to take part in future events will need to look carefully at how their products are made, especially images and text that involve AI tools.
Source: Compiled from multiple reports.