How is AI Used in Sports

AI in Sports

A decade ago, who would’ve thought that an American biographical sports drama, Moneyball, would give us an insight on what can be expected from the world of sports and its integration with technology! For those who’ve not seen this (YET), let me give a brief summary of the movie. The movie revolves around Oakland Athletics’ general manager, Billy Beane, who uses statistical data and analytics to build a competitive team despite being short on budget and goes on to show how this team breaks all records of achievements.

Now, as we’ve moved into 2020, we see that the world of sports has evolved by leaps. While statistics have always played a central role in sports since the beginning, AI has significantly impacted the level of audience engagement, creating a strategy for games, and the way they are played today. We see that data analytics and artificial intelligence are being used in sports in a substantial amount.

The application of AI in sports has become a common sight in the last few years. And considering the positive impact brought by the precision of technology into sports, there is not an iota of doubt that it will continue to flourish in this domain.

In this article, we discuss the areas where AI in sports is used and the way it is used in different sports. We’ll also tell you which sports companies to watch out for in the AI space.

Read on!

1. AI Augmented Coaching — AI continues to have a significant impact on the strategic decisions made by coaches, before, during, and after the game. With the help of wearable sensors and high-speed cameras, AI platforms measure a forward pass, a penalty kick, LBW in cricket and a lot of similar actions in various sports. This data empowers coaches to prepare players better for competition. This data-driven analysis of players along with the quantitative and qualitative variables helps coaches to develop better training programs for their team.
2. Player Performance Improvement — AI is also being used to enhance the performance of players. Apps like HomeCourt make use of Computer Vision and Machine Learning to assess basketball players’ skills, giving them a good medium to improve. The recording of these performance metrics of the athletes is not only credible but also helps the players to understand the areas where they have maximum potential to excel and the areas that still need improvement.
3. AI in Sports Journalism — By leveraging the power of Natural Language Processing(NLP), artificial intelligence can change the face of journalism entirely. With automated journalism about to enter the market, sports journalism is getting highly influenced by it. AI is making use of sports data to create readable information on different sports events. For instance, software like Wordsmith is capable of processing sporting events to provide summaries of the major events of the day.
4. Virtual Reality Sports Strengthened by AI — Virtual Reality(VR) has added a different dimension to sports and gamification as now with virtual reality headsets, enthusiasts can compete virtually with each other from around the world. A virtual platform with AI technology provides a realistic experience in a virtual environment that matches the experience of witnessing the game live. Also, with the emergence of 5G, such experiences will get more interactive and the sports industry will be changed forever.
5. Broadcasting and Streaming — In addition to revolutionizing the world of sports for coaches and players, AI also has a sizable impact on the way the audience experiences sports. AI systems can be used for automatically choosing the right camera angle to display on viewers’ screens, providing subtitles for live events in different languages based on the location of the viewer, and also enabling broadcasters to utilize monetization opportunities through advertisements.
6. AI in Match Predictions — Machine Learning can be used to predict the result of matches. Be it in soccer, or in cricket, where massive data is available, a model outcome can be created to predict the upcoming confrontations. One of the best practical applications of this can be conveyed through the project made by the students at Great Learning on ‘IPL Cricket Match Outcome Prediction using AI Techniques.’

In this project, Jerry Davis, Pulkit Malhotra, and Rajesh Goel have tried to predict the winner of IPL Twenty -20 Cricket Match while it is in progress. The objective of their research was to propose a dynamic model as it helps the team management to work on their plans quickly and improve team performance and enhance the chances of winning the game.

Check out the video of the project here:

IPL Cricket Match Outcome Prediction Using AI Techniques | GL Projects Showcase | Great Learning

How AI is Being Used in Different Sports

• In Cricket — AI is used in Cricket to improve the strategy of the game. Machine Learning can be used in predicting match results accurately. Thanks to the power of AI, the analysis has now reached an all-time high. Currently, AI is being used in the Umpire Decision Review System (UDRS), Duckworth Lewis, and analyzing the result of run-outs. AI can also be used to develop indoor stadiums or closed stadiums which can ensure that the game continues even in bad weather conditions.
• In Baseball — One of the key areas where AI has managed to make a difference in the sport includes scouting new players. AI collects information about players, such as their average speed and the angle at which they hit their bat or the speed with which they can throw it in the out. This helps in creating insights for recruiters. It also makes use of VR, i.e. Virtual Reality, a simulation tool that allows batters to practice, and hitters to master throws by specific pitchers!
• In Football — It is no secret that insights procured form AI-powered algorithms can add more value to soccer. Technologies like Goal Line Technology (GLT), Video Assistant Referee (VAR) have improved the game’s efficiency by providing additional support to referees to make the right decisions during the game. Furthermore, Olocip, a Madrid-based company uses machine learning algorithms to predict the success or failure on the field for the next 15 minutes as the game is being played.
• In Tennis — AI has brought Wimbledon to Life; thanks to IBM. It’s groundbreaking Watson AI technology possesses the ability to understand, learn, and interact. It permits tennis fans to see the game from close quarters, thus gaining valuable insights and improving their viewing experience. IBM Watson has been taught to recognize the best moments in a match. It does it all: from listening to the noise of the crowd and sensing their reactions to noticing the body language of the audience. It uses all these elements to generate video highlights which can then be shared on social media platforms.
• In Basketball — NBA teams have switched their attention to AI and machine learning too. Consider the example of HomeCourt; a computer vision and AI-based app that can help the players improve basketball shooting. The app detects the person, the basket, and the three-point line and finds out if the ball is a make or a miss. It also provides other shooting stats like launch angle, vertical jump, reaction time, and leg angle.

Which are the Different AI Sports Companies

1. Nex Team — It brings shooting-practice routines of NBA stars on its AI-driven training app.
2. Catapult — It creates wearable technology for soccer players.
3. IBM — It adds sound analysis to its golf and tennis highlights that are powered by AI.
4. Dojo Madness — It develops real-time coaching companion tools for enthusiasts of Dota 2, Overwatch, and League of Legends.
5. Mustard — It uses AI to analyze an athlete’s mechanics and offers tips to improve their performance.
6. Asensei — It consists of a coaching platform that uses motion capture sensors in regular sports apparel to guide and correct individual’s workouts.
7. StreamLayer — It enables content owners and OTT operators to offer interactivity on a mobile device.

Conclusion

AI is going to be in the sports industry for a long time now. With the advancement of AI, the sensors, processors, and algorithms will become more refined and the audience will get a richer viewing experience. It will not be an exaggeration to say that AI will shape the way sports are played, viewed, and marketed across the globe.

Sensing the importance of AI in the field of sports, it will be capricious to leverage its power. To understand the fundamentals of Artificial Intelligence from the core and work on practical hands-on projects, you can enrol in the Post Graduate Program in Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning: Business Applications.