How AI is being used in Sports

Artificial Intelligence (AI) is a newly introduced developing, learning and adaptive technology in our lives. We may use it to do many common things for work or school, but AI is also being used in so many industries other than education. For instance, sports — as surprising as that might sound!

In basketball, a torn Achilles is a common injury that occurs, and this leads to many star players getting sidelined for months. The NBA (National Basketball Association) has now come up with a new idea to reduce and prevent this brutal injury by building an AI model which studies each player’s Achilles to the fullest. It analyses the movement, workload and data which can detect any early signs of an Achilles injury. The model also shows how you can train without causing damage or increasing the risk of injury.

The NFL (National Football League), on the other hand, is using AI to make in-game decisions as a coach. The NFL has allowed team coaches to use AI to help coaches make strategic decisions during matches. The interpretative AI shows real time player and game analysis. The AI could also be used to make calls and officiate the games. In recent years, this high tech model has been used to make the game more engaging and attractive through its fast analysis and the introduction of new stats like ‘tackle probability’, which shows the likelihood of a successful tackle in the game through deep analysis.

The game has been revolutionised through AI improving officiating, like the semi automated offside technology. AI is being used by teams like Liverpool to improve their corner kick strategy, which actually showed a better goal conversion rate. The scouting industry in football, where experienced coaches look for talented youth, could also be taken over by AI. AI can easily detect a person with a good quality game or a bad one by just seeing them touch the ball once or twice. That's how powerful it is.

MLB (Major League Baseball) is entering a new era and has made some stunning decisions this year. They have decided to have ‘robot umpires’. The league is implementing a challenge call technology where AI determines the accuracy of each human call. Isn't that interesting? The AI has been tested since 2019 in the minor leagues and will now be carried out in the MLB after many tweaks.

In the racing department, Formula 1 has been using AI in a very effective way. Racing teams have been using the technology to stimulate and optimize car aerodynamics through AI designs. Another use is in better training. Each team’s players have a different way of improving their game. AI makes special simulators for each individual, giving them a way to improve efficiently. 

AI is influencing so many parts of the sports industry, from injury prevention and better officiation to real life game analysis. This brings out a new aspect to the game, and is changing how the game is played, coached and officiated. 

By Krish Shringi, Grade 9