5 Effects of Artificial Intelligence (AI) on Sports

Artificial Intelligence is causing a stir worldwide, and the Sports Sector is a newcomer with a bang.

Effects of AI on Sportsperson Health

Technology is revolutionizing sports training by live-tracking performances, perfecting athletic movements, enhancing communication, and virtually eliminating injuries. It is being utilized in sports training to deliver real-time feedback and create individualized training regimens for players. It increases the effectiveness of each exercise for each individual. Wearable apps can also provide information about the wear and strain that players are experiencing, which can help athletes avoid injury. The NBA has unveiled the Connexion Kiosk, which employs artificial intelligence to assess a player’s health data and keep clubs aware of injuries. Compared to whiteboards and post-practice reviews, technology has substantially increased athletic potential.

Effects of AI on Sports Person Skills

Artificial Intelligence Effects on Pre-game and Game-Day Strategies. The use of a combination of sensor technologies and artificial intelligence (AI) can assist players to enhance their skills. During games, AI can be used to spot trends in tactics, methods, and weaknesses. Computer analysis is being used to influence line-up decisions both before and during games. Artificial intelligence can also be used to improve sports performance by analyzing various variables such as serve spin, speed, placement, and player position and motion. In this regard, AI supports managers and coaches in making better decisions for various matches and crucial competitions. Coaches and players need more profound insights to elevate their game to the next level, umpires/referees require aid to make the right decisions in crucial situations, and spectators desire more individualized experiences and connectivity. AI offers a way to meet all of these goals.

Cricket Australia has partnered with GameFace AI to analyze ball trajectory, speed and essential activities such as where the ball makes contact with the pitch, bat, or even a fielder, using artificial intelligence.

Effects of AI on Sports Prediction

AI will generate better predictions of competitive outcomes with better sensors and algorithms. Where massive data is available, then Machine Learning (AI is part of Machine Learning) can be used to forecast matches’ outcomes. A model can be constructed to anticipate awaiting clashes. One of the better examples of this is the ‘IPL Cricket Match Outcome Prediction using AI Techniques’ project completed by Great Learning students. Big tech companies also see a future in it, Infosys and Roland Garros teaming up to create Stats+, which re-orders statistics during a live match. This live function uses Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning principles to enhance the fan and player experience. It can provide richer experiences: Artificial intelligence (AI) can provide real-time sports analytics, such as locating videos of winning techniques or visual analysis of every player. This aids players and coaches in devising counter-strategies and providing a more immersive experience.

Effects of AI on Sports Talent Acquisition

Human actions can be scrutinized quantitatively. Sports teams are increasingly employing individual performance data, whether it’s baseball, soccer, or any other sport. Performance data is utilized for possible recruits and more complex measurements that account for many elements.

On the other hand, humans’ limitations can prevent them from accurately capturing and evaluating these measurements. The method of recording and measuring these markers of future performance is getting more accessible and more dependable with the introduction of big data and artificial intelligence into sports administration.

Before investing in a player, AI can analyze previous data well documented in sports to estimate their future potential. It can also be used to assess player market value so that the best offers can be made when recruiting new talent.

Conclusion

 Artificial intelligence is here to stay. Advertisers, sports corporations, franchise owners, coaches, and game strategists will all be affected by AI. Prominent technology executives such as Baidu CEO Robin Li and Google CEO Sundar Pichai have already acknowledged a shift in their innovation efforts from “mobile-first” to “AI-first.” India has also recognized the importance of Artificial Intelligence Effects in Sports. Union Minister Rajyavardhan said, “Government will use AI to pick future sports stars,” in the Press Conference on Artificial Intelligence. 

With such a broad range of applications, it’s believable that the whole sports sector will look to AI to gain a competitive advantage over its competitors. Sports companies now require AI to compete at the highest levels, whether through an internal IT department or external AI platforms. AI will vastly boost the competitiveness of sports. AI is changing the way people watch and play sports.

Although disruptive technologies like AI & Machine Learning can be game-changers, there are a set of challenges as well. AI is not 100% accurate and has a dependence on vast volumes of training data. However, it is feasible to start with a small amount of data and slowly improve the machine learning models with more data over some time to improve accuracy. This is not possible because Sports Analytics is still in its initial stage in India. AI is also used with technologies like Virtual Reality and Robotics.

FAQ

Q1. In which country is it growing rapidly?

Ans. The field of sports analytics is being taken seriously all across the world. It is a specialized science that is rapidly improving the process of team selection, monitoring, and coaching players and completely altering the way games are played on a global scale.

Q2. Which is the most affecting sport or can get most of the benefit?

Ans. Artificial intelligence is affecting practically every professional sport, and it already involves amateur athletes as well. However, team games such as Cricket, Football, Basketball are more affected, as these aren’t merely a game between two sides. A large number of people are involved. Team management, team strategists, coaches, and trainers are all there. There is a significant business component to the whole process in the team games.

Q3. What are the disadvantages of using AI?

Ans. Every new technology or discovery will include advantages and disadvantages, but we as humans must be mindful of this and use the invention’s positive aspects to improve the world. Some argue that if artificial intelligence falls into the wrong hands, it could destroy human civilization. However, none of the AI applications developed at that size is capable of destroying or enslaving humanity.

Q4. Are we losing the human element?

Ans. The Human element is always vital as humans cannot be replaced by AI-based machines, computers etc. Machines execute far more efficiently than humans but with their limitations. It doesn’t improve with experience, lacks creativity, and itself depends on humans for functioning. Depending on the sport, a balance between technology and the human aspect is required.