It is no longer surprising that AI is being widely used across various industries, from business to enhancing consumer leisure or daily life. However, one of the most fascinating proofs of AI’s progress lies in its integration into sports. And no, this is not about entertainment — AI in professional sport is being employed as a powerful tool to enhance professionalism in sports.
AI in Professional Sport Integration Across Different Sports
Just like in any field where success relies on preparation, analysis, and efficiency, the sports world has sought innovative tools and methods to achieve excellence. Today, the sports industry has evolved significantly, constantly searching for ways to help teams perform better in competitions and achieve outstanding results. Given its growth and importance, the demand for advanced solutions has increased.
According to AISTS, the global artificial intelligence market in sports could reach $19.9 billion by 2030. AI technologies, which automate various tasks, analyse large amounts of data in real time, provide insights, and apply predictive analysis, are making a strong impact in the sports industry. AI in professional sport is already being used across disciplines like football, rugby, tennis, basketball, and baseball to enhance both athlete and fan experiences.
Opportunities for AI in Professional Sports
The most significant advantage of AI in sports is its ability to process large amounts of data — such as statistics — and offer actionable insights. For example, one key area of AI application is improving athlete performance. Athletes are the cornerstone of sports, and their performance determines outcomes. As new talent emerges and competition remains fierce, there is a constant need to enhance individual preparation.
AI in professional sport supports this by analysing an athlete’s performance data — such as endurance, movements, and speed — during games, as well as data from competitors. It can provide real-time recommendations on next steps and help design personalized training plans to meet specific goals.
Additionally, sensors and motion-tracking cameras monitor and analyse an athlete’s health, with results being used to prevent injuries, aid recovery, and more.
During competitions, AI systems analyse gameplay and later provide insights about trends, action patterns, and participant performance. This information benefits both athletes and coaches, helping to refine game strategies.
From the referees’ perspective, AI-powered tools improve match quality by assisting with decisions, such as determining if a ball crossed the line, identifying fouls, or counting points with precision.
For sports fans, AI in professional sport systems can analyse behaviour and preferences, offering insights that enhance their experience. These systems provide real-time updates on actions, generate instant reports, and explain nuances of the game, enriching the viewing experience. AI can also suggest personalized content tailored to fans’ interests.
AI in Professional Sport Use Cases
Different sports have already integrated and tested AI capabilities. Here are a few examples:
- A Spanish sports club implemented Zone 7 — AI-powered platform that collects data from matches, training, and health assessments to predict potential injuries before they occur.
- During rugby matches, AI video analysis tools track the progress of the match in real time and provide coaches with accurate information that they themselves may not notice due to the intensity of the sport.
- During 2018 baseball matches, the TrackMan robot umpire was used. This AI-based solution ensures greater impartiality and precision, addressing frequent referee bias complaints.
Final Word
AI in professional sport is becoming a tool not only applied in the business environment, but also entering much more dynamic industries. Its capabilities in changing the interaction of judges, athletes and spectators during competitions or preparation, in the cultivation of a professional and high-quality sports community.
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Source: AISTS, AI Time Journal, Forbes
