The Applications of Artificial Intelligence in Sports
By Laasya Kanumuri
As soccer fans around the globe eagerly tuned in to the 22nd World Cup, they were treated to an impressive display of technological advancements in the field of sports. Multiple applications of artificial intelligence were used during the tournament, with one of the most notable being the video-assistant technology that was employed to aid referees in making accurate decisions on the field. The implementation of this technology has been a long time coming, as it has been a topic of discussion amongst the soccer community for many years. It involves using various cameras placed around the field to capture different angles of the game, which are then fed into a central system. From there, a team of officials can quickly review footage of any contentious moments and make informed decisions.
Apart from the video-assistant technology, the World Cup also saw the use of advanced algorithms that utilized data points like ticket sales and stadium entrances to predict crowd patterns and help prevent stampedes. With over 15,000 cameras tracking crowds across eight stadiums, the data collected was immense. By analyzing this data, the algorithms were able to predict where crowds would be headed next, and the authorities could take proactive measures to prevent any dangerous situations. In addition to these uses of AI, the soccer balls themselves were also equipped with advanced motion sensors. The sensors were capable of relaying the ball's location to a data center an astonishing 500 times per second, allowing for a wealth of data to be collected during the course of a match. The data collected could then be analyzed to improve players' performance or to make adjustments to the balls' design.
The recently concluded World Cup in Doha, Qatar, was undoubtedly one of the most technologically advanced international sports events to date. However, it is worth noting that there are still many more ways in which artificial intelligence could revolutionize the world of sports, and we have yet to witness all of them.
Steph Curry of the NBA and Tom Brady of the NFL are among the many athletes who utilize the practice of "film study," which involves reviewing past games and plays in order to determine what to replicate and what to avoid. This practice is common in a variety of sports, including baseball, track, hockey, and boxing, where video replay is often incorporated into high-level training programs. Despite the fact that new technologies have revolutionized many aspects of elite sports, such as coach-player communication through radio headsets and the creation of stronger, lighter gear, the technology utilized in film study has remained relatively unchanged. Although teams have moved from using celluloid to digital files, the process of organizing, editing, and learning from the footage remains incredibly time-consuming and labor-intensive. Athletes or coaches must spend hours scrolling through large amounts of often-unhelpful footage to locate specific plays or moments. In some cases, sports organizations even dedicate entire departments to this task.
Sports teams have only recently started to utilize the potential of artificial intelligence (A.I.) in film study. With the latest technologies available, coaches can gain much more insight into players' performances in a fraction of the time. One promising aspect of recent advancements in A.I. is object recognition and tracking. This can provide teams with a competitive edge, as the newest A.I. systems can recognize individual players, movements, plays, or patterns without the need for human input. By using A.I. technology, coaches can easily locate the specific footage they need, without the time-consuming task of sifting through hours of video. Remark A.I. Box, for instance, can be integrated into a team's existing camera system, adding A.I. functionality without the need for new sensors or other equipment.
These advancements in A.I. have greatly simplified the process of isolating relevant footage and creating personalized video packages for each player on a team. Previously, this task required several full-time staff members, but with A.I., it can now be done by a single individual within minutes or even automated. This technological upgrade is sure to save time for both players and coaches.The traditional training technique of film study was in need of a technological upgrade, and A.I. is the solution.
As A.I.-powered tools become more widespread across different sports, leagues, and levels of play, athletes who overlook the possibilities are missing out on a significant opportunity. We can expect to see the results of A.I. technology on the playing field, helping athletes and teams improve their performance and achieve even greater success.
