Artificial Intelligence (AI) has emerged as a game-changer in various industries, and the world of sports is no exception. With its ability to process vast amounts of data, recognize patterns, and make accurate predictions, AI is transforming the way athletes train, teams strategize, and fans engage with their favourite sports.
Table of contents
In this article, we’ll be exploring:
- The top 4 benefits of AI in sports.
- The top 4 challenges of AI in sports.
- Best examples of AI in sports.
The top 4 benefits of AI in sports
Sport has been blessed with artificial intelligence in a variety of ways, however, the list below indicates the areas that have benefitted the most.
Enhanced performance analysis
With the assistance of AI, coaches can measure player performance by tracking movements, technique, and vital statistics more thoroughly. Discovering the strengths and weaknesses of a player and eventually an entire team is made much easier.
This is usually done with wearable devices and sensors that measure your heart rate, speed, and stamina. This feedback can be received in real-time so you could adjust things like technique immediately. You’ll also be able to detect whether one of your players partied a little too hard the day before for their 21st birthday.
Injury prevention and rehab
Fans hate going to watch a game and finding out that their favourite player won’t be on the pitch that day due to some injury. When you can measure things like heart rate and track technique, you could spot injury risks and prevent them from happening. This is way better than going to rehab and missing out on a couple of games all due to poor technique.
But let’s just say you end up in a rehabilitation centre, artificial intelligence can be used in the rehabilitation process to fix the leg you unnecessarily broke.
Precision refereeing
Possibly the best thing to happen to the sport is the precise refereeing. There are few things more exciting than waiting for a verdict on whether the ball crept over the line before the goalkeeper snatched the ball, or whether the ball bounced on the line to decide a Grand Slam champion in tennis. One thing’s for sure, one side will be absolutely thrilled and the other distraught, because the loser would have to do the dishes for a week.
Data-driven strategy
Artificial intelligence can process data a lot faster than humans can, whether it’s historical or real-time. Using the data to gather insights on opponents’ patterns can help teams or individuals prepare better for their next fixture, making the game more competitive, calculated concerning strategy, and overall, more exciting for spectators.
The top 4 challenges of AI in sports
The benefits of AI in sports are great, but it’s important to keep the challenges in mind concerning the implementation of artificial intelligence in sports.
Ethical and privacy concerns
This is a recurring concern with matters involving technology, particularly matters relating to artificial intelligence. Biased decisions making is still a possibility with AI as data can still be manipulated. Information like location will need to be collected to measure the distance travelled, and some people may not be open to that. This makes it more important that organisations remain transparent with customers about the type of data that is collected from them.
Technical and social limitations
AI relies on accurate and reliable data, which would sometimes make it difficult to make quick decisions if certain data is missing due to a technical error. That is an area where human discretion would be more useful.
Not everyone is open to the idea of adopting AI into the sport. This could be because these people are traditionalists who aren’t open to adopting new technology. Kind of like petrolheads and the beef they’ve got with electric vehicles. Then again, that’s how a lot of people felt about the internet when it made its first appearance.
Costing
Implementing artificial intelligence in sports isn’t cheap, whether you’re building it from scratch or integrating it into existing infrastructure. The cost alone eliminates smaller organisations from experiencing the benefits of AI integration.
Human AI collaboration
Artificial intelligence is meant to be a tool and not a replacement for human expertise. Finding the balance between human expertise and AI data analysis and insights is crucial. We don’t want to find ourselves in a position where sport, in general, is less human, as we’ll begin to lose an emotional connection to them.
Best examples of AI in sports
Sports have already implemented AI and are benefitting greatly from it, as the list below indicates.
Hawk-Eye in Tennis
The Hawk-Eye system, powered by AI and computer vision, accurately tracks the trajectory of tennis balls, providing precise line-call decisions. This technology has revolutionised the sport, eliminating controversies and enhancing fairness.
Player Tracking in Basketball
AI-based player tracking systems capture and analyse player movements in real time, providing coaches with detailed insights into player positioning, speed, and performance. This data-driven approach aids in tactical decision-making and player development.
Virtual Reality Training in Football
Football clubs utilize AI-driven virtual reality platforms to simulate match scenarios, allowing players to experience and practice critical situations. This immersive training enhances decision-making skills and improves on-field performance.
IBM Watson in Tennis Analytics
IBM Watson, a cognitive computing system, analyses tennis match data to provide in-depth statistics, player insights, and predictive analytics. This AI-powered platform enhances tennis coaching strategies and helps players understand their performance better.
Final thoughts
Artificial Intelligence is redefining the sports landscape, empowering athletes, coaches, and fans alike. From performance analysis to injury prevention, AI’s impact on sports is vast and transformative. While challenges exist, addressing ethical concerns and ensuring fair play will be crucial as AI continues to evolve in the world of sports. Embracing AI’s potential while maintaining the human element is the key to unlocking a new era of sporting excellence.
