TechStartUpGame: A serious game for training tech start-ups using AI-generated scenarios

Abstract

This paper examines the possibility of combining serious games with AI-generated scenarios to improve education and training for tech startups. In the ever-changing and highly competitive field of entrepreneurship, it is crucial to adopt innovative methods to provide aspiring startups and team members with the necessary skills and knowledge to achieve success. Serious games provide an engaging and immersive learning environment, while AI-generated scenarios offer authentic simulations of the difficulties encountered by technology startups. The objective of combining these technologies is to promote innovation, collaboration, and capacity building within the entrepreneurial ecosystem. The design science research methodology approach was used in carrying out this research. The App(game) designed assisted in identifying the challenges facing tech startups in South Africa and adequate solutions to be provided to meet the sustainable development goals. A total number of 36 tech startups participated in testing the App(TechStartUpGame) and gave their opinions on the application usage. The study findings show that TechStartUpGame is educational, informative, scalable, has varieties of engagements and diverse in nature, full of new discoveries and exploration. The output of this research could be used to achieve the objectives in fostering innovation, enhance education, exert influence on policy, and engage the public, ultimately leading to beneficial societal transformation and the advancement of sustainable development objectives.