UKIE launches AI compliance service with Sheridans, pricing from £500 to £2,500

UKIE partnered with law firm Sheridans to launch an AI Compliance and Accreditation Service. The service runs a four-step process ending in a UKIE Certification Mark. Studios can use the mark to demonstrate due diligence in pitches and funding rounds. Pricing ranges from £500 to £2,500 depending on policy status and UKIE membership.

Deal mechanics: certification built on a four-step compliance process
A new policy and compliance check costs £1,500-£2,000 for UKIE members.
The same service costs £2,000-£2,500 for non-members.
Reviewing an existing policy costs £500-£750 for members, £750-£1,000 for non-members.
Sheridans examines AI tools, licences, player-facing outputs and existing internal processes.

Strategic logic: a due diligence shield for publisher and investor scrutiny
UKIE positions the certification mark as proof a studio has taken AI risk seriously.
The mark is designed to give publishers, investors and partners a recognisable standard to check against.
"Games businesses need something practical that looks at their own tools and working practices, helps them put the right processes in place and gives publishers, investors and other partners confidence that there is a considered approach behind their use of AI." - Nick Poole, CEO, UKIE

Operational use: building the review cycle into funding readiness
Sheridans offers a standalone review for studios that already hold an AI policy.
A refresh is recommended after a lapse of a couple of years or a major change in AI use.
"Given the near-constant shifting of laws and broader public policy around AI, it is sensible to keep a studio's policy under review." - Anna Poulter-Jones, Partner, Sheridans

Competitive positioning: Sheridans' incumbency sets the market standard
Sheridans holds one of the UK's longest established specialist games legal practices.
UKIE frames the mark as establishing a consistent standard the wider industry can recognise.
UKIE cites member feedback describing daily experimentation with AI tools alongside common uncertainty over legal risk.
What this means
For Investors & VC: Require AI tool and licence inventories from uncertified UK studios before issuing term sheets.
For Publishers & Developers: Write AI accreditation into selection criteria for UK co-dev and work-for-hire partners.
For Service Vendors: Secure AI accreditation before pitching UK publishers to differentiate AI-assisted art and asset pipelines.