AI: The Good, And The Bad

March 27, 2023

It’s Monday! What better way to start the week than with The Sports Road… Today's edition? A *mostly* AI special, of course 😉. Enjoy!

Here's what we got for ya today:

  • AI Is Here to Stay

  • The Good

  • And The Bad…

  • Future Footballing Royalty?

Most valuable public market sports teams

Let's get into it!

Sports Consumption Will NEVER be The Same…

Strap in guys… AI is here to stay!

And not just that, it’s about to completely change the way we consume Sport. 

Don’t believe us? Well, this weekend results from a study conducted by the WHU - Otto Beisheim School of Management were released. Financially backed by the DFL (German FA) and Amazon’s Web Services, the study looks at AI’s role in Sports content.

With the study basing results off today’s trends in consumption, the main findings suggested that AI is likely going to become far more involved in Sports broadcasting.

This is how:

  • AI can be used to navigate cameras at sports events, enabling remote production

  • Fully automated sports productions may be possible in the future

  • Algorithms can be used to tailor content to viewers' interests

  • Digital overlays and customisable camera angles can be added to production

  • Sports broadcasters and practitioners should respond to consumers' desires by offering immersive options and using AI and new technologies.

With many younger viewers preferring short-cut highlights on social media to live sport, the study also noted that mobile consumption of sports content is expected to increase. 

Having this knowledge, it could be time to expect change. AI is taking over! 

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AI - Helping to Keep You Safe 

Now that we’ve looked at how AI is changing the way we consume Sport online, let’s take a look at its impact on in-person events.

The Boston Red Sox – a household name in the MLB and global powerhouse – are taking a step into the future!

How, you ask? AI Security Systems…

Aiming to streamline the current security measures at Fenway Park, a nearly 50,000 seater, the Red Sox are implementing Evolv Express’ technology.

Here’s how it works:

  • The technology combines advanced sensor technology with AI

  • Using this, fans will be able to pass through a machine with their phones, keys, wallets and other belongings all still in their pockets

  • The technology is also able to screen purses and backpacks to detect any banned materials going into the stadium

We definitely won’t miss those long lines…

No, but really. With just one Evolv machine being able to screen 4,000 people an hour and an average of 95% of fans being able to walk through at a normal speed, the whole experience is bound to become far more comfortable.

Here’s to more changes like this!  

The Ugly Side of AI

Look, if you can’t tell, we’re pretty excited about AI’s involvement in Sport. 

Like you just read, the good that it can cause can heavily improve – not only the way Sport is played – but fan experience as well. 

The combination between humans and AI is sure to bring new and innovative ideas to our favourite games, improving them well beyond our wildest thoughts.

So on the surface, what’s not to like?

Specifically covering a scandal involving AI-assisted cheating, the lack of preventive measures against the help of Artificial Intelligence could have caused players to lose out on $200,000!

“AI destroyed all the existing orders of this [Go] community and rebuilt it… Human experts used to dominate the whole realm. Now we have to accept a non-human actor who has expertise, maybe even has exceeded the human experts. So how are we going to deal with it?” 

Jiuheng He, a Go player who also researches AI at Cornell University

With the 2,500 year-old Sport once considered a symbol of human intelligence, we were left wondering about potential negative impacts of AI on Sport.

While the topic is obviously vast and extremely subjective, the inclusion of AI *may* lead to a loss in autonomy. 

Whether that’s for good or bad is yet to be seen, but one thing is for sure – Sport is changing forever.

And hey, if you subscribe to The Sports Road, you’ll be the first to know how! 😉

Newcastle United: Times Are Changing

It’s no secret that Newcastle United are on a collision course to becoming a serious player in European Football.

Backed by the Saudi Public Investment Fund, the club's owners are the richest in the Premier League (by some distance…)

With the club in the process of bouncing from relegation scrappers to serious contenders, fans will be allowed a behind-the-scenes look at what's going on.

Yep, partnering with Amazon Prime, the club is the newest addition to the All or Nothing series. With the show set for a release in late Summer, filming has already started.

Reaching the Carabao Cup final only last month, this season has been a historic one for the Toon, who are still on for European Football next year…  

In doing this, the club is building a global reputation and bringing in new fans. Considering what the club is trying to achieve, we think this is a great idea.

“The documentary will give football and non-football fans across the globe a unique and authentic insight into how a major Premier League club operates and will take fans on the journey with us as we strive to achieve our goals on and off the pitch.”

Newcastle chief executive Darren Eales.

 Quick bites

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Quote of the day

"You play to win the game...Hello. You play to win the game."

Herman Edwards

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England's New Record Top Scorer!

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Chat to ya on Monday! ☮️