Huddle Tim Paul Interview with Brian Uran, VP of Product at Optics

Introduction

• Hosts: Tim Paul from Gaming Insider and Gaming America
• Guest: Brian Uran, VP of Product at Optics
• Previous Guests: Brooke, Steve from Optics

Brian Uran's Career Journey

• Started in gaming at live casinos as an intern while studying at UNLV (Casino gaming)
• Grew up in Las Vegas Valley, strong interest in casinos
• Role evolution:
  • Began in slot operations, slot analytics, slot technical
  • Transitioned to marketing, mainly database marketing
  • VP of Marketing at casinos near Pittsburgh and Philadelphia
• Currently VP of Product at Optics

Life at Optics

• Passion: Technology and improving customer journeys
• Role focuses on:
  • Software to help operators make better decisions
  • Enhancing human interactions via technology
  • Balancing vision and immediate needs of current customers

Day-to-Day Focus at Optics

• Aim: Software for better decision-making and meaningful interpersonal relationships
• Challenges include introducing tech without losing the human touch
• Tweaks to platform and new product lines to achieve goals

AI in the Casino Industry

• Fear: AI replacing human jobs
• Approach: AI to augment where human capital is lacking, not to replace humans
• Example: AI can help manage customers just below VIP status

Key Products and Best Performers

• Database marketing and slots: Immediate ideas, improvements, future visions
• Best in-class host product: Built by Brooke, founder
• Diverse product suite covering AI verticals, dispatch, enterprise
• AI models for enhancing VIP experiences and optimizing slot floors

Impact of AI and Automation

• Helps identify and target the right players
• Facilitates processes and operations e.g., optimizing slot floors, event management
• Slow but steady adoption due to regulatory and stakeholder challenges

Optics' Plans and Goals

• 2024 Focus: Automation and integrations
• Enable AIs to predict events and automate corresponding actions
• Example: Automated communication for slot manager decisions
• Balancing AI adoption and manual processes for varied customer readiness
• Aim: New frontier of business management and customer interaction, one step at a time

Conclusion

• Exciting future: Steps towards the intersection of AI and automation
• Optics as a pioneer in AI/automation for the casino industry, preparing for wider adoption

Closing words: Appreciation from Tim Paul and best wishes for Brian Uran for the future.