AI in Sports

Illustration generated using DALL·E 2.

Check mate

Technology has been used in sports since it was available, and the more there is, the more it is used. Although there seems to be two kinds of technology that appears in the world of competitive sport, the kind that helps competitors improve their performance, and the kind that actually is the competition. The most prevalent off the latter, and perhaps the oldest, is the chess computer. The first chess computer appeared in the latter part of the 1970s and since then their developers have seemingly been fixated on only one thing, to beat the very best human chess minds on the planet. Of course they have done it, and currently there is no human that can consistently beat the best chess computer, and most likely, there never will be. That was man against machine, and the machines won, so the focus has now moved on to pitching machine against machine. In fact, the current machine champion actually taught itself to play the game. Is this starting to sound familiar? Overtures of ‘hasta la vista baby’ and ‘I’ll be back’ perhaps? As long as the stick to chess.

Playing by the rules

But there is the other side of AI sports technology, the side where AI actually helps humans up their game, to become the best of the best. And this technology also ensures that rules are adhered to and referees make just, fair and accurate decisions. This is all good, no more arguing with the referee about whether a ball was in or out, an opposing player was off-side, or if it was a goal or not. Most of the time anyway, there are some people who are just naturally argumentative and won’t agree with any decision if it disagrees with their own narrative of what they believe happened.

Super athlete

Today, AI helps athletes perfect running, jumping, and throwing skills. It shows racing drivers the best line to take on the track and when to brake and accelerate. It plans nutrition and training schedules, monitors pulse, heartbeat and blood pressure and so much more. In fact, it is utilised at every level of every sport you can think of.

Rise of the machines

Every year new world records are set across the board in all kinds of sports, and with AI enhancing performance by assisting human coaches and personal trainers, we have to imagine this trend will continue until we reach a stage where something is simply beyond the capabilities of either the human body, physics or both. After that, the machines will take over and no doubt we will have the first AI Olympics.

Written by Ian Bowie