With the rapidity and intelligence of recent AI models, it can easily scan the performance of any player in any sport with highly complicated graphics and analysis that can result in a more accurate reading than humans can do. These statistics can help coaches choose whether to keep a player on their team or change to another athlete.
Moreover, AI is getting more powerful faster than anyone would’ve expected. “We are moving towards a world where AI will be more powerful than we ever imagined, and it’s happening at an exponential pace,” said Elon Musk.
Although it could relieve pressure on coaches, it could also bring chaos to sports. Trainers could completely adapt to what AI says and put into implementing the computer-powered brain mentions. That would cause the matches to end up in a robot vs. robot game, making it repetitive and boring.
One of the most important aspects of AI’s emergence in professional-level sports is the enhancement of decision-making. AI has no preconceived notions, making it the perfect candidate to referee games.
Unlike automated intelligence, humans cannot make perfect calls in every match. Besides, humans can sometimes forget rules or not see certain unfair plays. In opposition to that, some people think that having a human referee adds a lot of action in the crowd. For example, in hockey, when the referee makes an error, excitement and frustration rise, causing a buzz in the stadium.
As mentioned earlier, AI can easily list the performance of any player. This can help a lot in talent scouting and recruitment of new athletes. If artificial intelligence knows every single player, it can choose the perfect match for certain teams.
For instance, the Formula 1 recruitment team must make numerous decisions about whether to retain or replace their drivers. Occasionally, small miscalculations can result in the team’s failure throughout an entire season. If AI were to take on that role, it could significantly reduce the number of errors, potentially eliminating them.
Even though it could bring positivity to the sport. Fans say the choice of drivers is part of the sport and it should not be replaced. “As a longtime racing fan, I see the choice of driver as the heartbeat of every team. It’s not just about having the fastest car on the track; it’s about selecting a competitor who can sync with the team’s spirit and strategy. That decision is as integral to the game as the roar of the engines—it shapes every victory and every setback,” Alex Mercer, a devoted F1 enthusiast. This concept not only applies to racing sports but also to every other professional team sport.
