James Brooks’ Post

#AI & #data are shaping sports, from player transfers to predicting injuries. But where’s the line? 🤔 With Wimbledon swapping line judges for AI, Qlik CIO James Fisher shares why human connection makes tennis special 🎾 More in the article with LBC here:

When I think of Wimbledon, I think of thousands of people coming together for a glorious sporting spectacle. To see some of the best athletes the world has to offer battle it out for glory, and maybe even the odd bit of drama between umpire and player… That is what makes tennis special, human connection, and, yes, sometimes human error. So why is Wimbledon moving to replace line judges with #AI? We should be cautious about implementing AI in areas where we risk what makes sport so fun to watch. Though data can be transformative in sport, even helping to save lives when it is used to provide physios with information about serious injury, we should always be careful about using AI for AI’s sake. I shared my thoughts on why AI must be used strategically in sports, even though it can be invaluable: https://lnkd.in/eiGmnEHP via LBC News

I guess #AI is actually replacing some humans in jobs even in very traditional organizations such as the All England Club. Next year, Wimbledon judges will be replaced with AI cameras! In the words of John McEnroe "You can't be serious, man. You cannot be serious." I am in the data space and am all for improving life with technology and in fact my career depends upon it. However, some things should carry on tradition especially where something has been going on since 1882. Will we ever see another famous tirade from the matches? How far should we go to replace the human element? You can't be serious, man. You cannot be serious. - that's my view, what's yours? https://lnkd.in/eKZvRDsm.

Wow! AI already touches my favourite sport and reveals how human decisions might change! Here is what happened after the AI system intorudction called Hawk-Eye: Its precise 3D ball tracking has become the ultimate authority in calls, challenging traditional line judges and umpires to reduce errors by 8%. However, while it improves accuracy, it reveals subtle ways altering human judgment. For instance, officials now tend to favour plays, adjusting their calls in anticipation of AI review to avoid the embarrassment of being corrected publicly. I imagine how such dynamics can extend beyond sports, hinting at broader implications in critical fields like medicine, law, and beyond. So, as we integrate AI into more aspects of life, understanding its influence on human decision-making becomes crucial. Stefano Puntoni Daniel Wentzel Stefan Rose Dr. Stefan Raff Sebastian Bouschery Spitko Coaching Deutsche Sporthochschule Köln Mischa Zverev DEXLab RWTH Marketing Group #AI #Sport #Humandecision #SocialImpact #Marketing #Innovation

The All England Lawn Tennis Club has introduced a new feature called 'Catch Me Up' for the Wimbledon digital experience. This feature uses generative AI from IBM's watsonx platform to provide fans with AI-generated player stories and analysis. The player cards will be personalized based on user preferences and data, such as location and favorite players. The AI will provide pre-match analysis and post-match statistics and highlights. The feature aims to scale Wimbledon's content and provide timely coverage to tennis fans globally. Additionally, generative AI will be used to provide coverage of a broader range of matches, including wheelchair events, to cater to Wimbledon's diverse international audience. The majority of tennis fans surveyed believe that AI will have a positive impact on sports, with real-time updates, personalized content, and unique insights being the top priorities. This new feature showcases the positive impact of generative AI in enhancing the Wimbledon experience for fans worldwide. Question: How do you think generative AI can further enhance the sports viewing experience for fans? #AIinSports #FanEngagement #PersonalizedContent

Say hello to AI and wave goodbye to those human line judges 😲🎾 Wimbledon, with its 147-year legacy, has traditionally relied on human line judges—those individuals who determine whether a tennis ball lands in or out. Commencing in 2025, those 300(?!—yes, quite a number!) individuals will step aside, making way for the adoption of artificial intelligence (AI) technology. As a tennis enthusiast, Wimbledon holds a special place in my heart—the sun-drenched courts, the BBC commentary, and the timeless elegance of all-white attire. While I appreciate its precision, there’s something magical about the human touch in sports—the split-second decisions, the raw anticipation, and those natural, unscripted moments. When AI steps in, it’s like a perfectly executed backhand, but it lacks the imperfections that make sport so relatable. Some may object, but similar to VAR in my beloved sport, football, you cannot fully celebrate a goal (not that my team, Man Utd, scores often) until it's certain that the referee has completed all the review protocols, which diminishes the emotion at that particular moment. In the end, it’s a delicate balance. AI enhances accuracy, but it can’t replicate the thrill of a human referee or the gasp-inducing drama of a close call. So, here’s to celebrating both—the precision of algorithms and the heartbeat of human emotion on the court. What do you think of the decision? #PortmanScott #AI #Wimbeldon #Tennis

🎾 Wimbledon Embraces AI: The End of an Era for Human Line Judges Here's what you need to know: In a historic move, Wimbledon has announced that starting in 2025, artificial intelligence (AI) will replace human line judges. This decision by the All England Lawn Tennis Club (AELTC) ends a 147-year-old tradition, marking a significant shift in one of tennis's most prestigious Grand Slam tournaments. 📌 The New Technology 🖥️ AI-Powered Electronic Line Calling: An evolution of the Hawk-Eye system, capable of responding within a tenth of a second after a ball lands. Provides greater precision than human judges. 🎙️ A computer-generated voice will announce calls like "out" or "fault," replacing human officials. 🎯 Why the Change? Sally Bolton, AELTC's chief executive, highlighted extensive testing and consultation as key to the decision. The primary motivations include: 1️⃣ Accuracy: Ensuring maximum precision in officiating. 2️⃣ Consistency: Aligning Wimbledon with other tournaments like the Australian Open and US Open that already use electronic line calling. 🔄 Impact on Wimbledon No more human line judges, ending the iconic image of impeccably dressed officials on court. Player challenges eliminated: AI will make instant and definitive calls. Marks the end of dramatic disputes over contentious line calls, a memorable aspect of tennis history. 👍 Benefits vs. Concerns Pros: ✅ Greater accuracy and efficiency in officiating. ✅ Consistent match conditions across tournaments. Cons: ❌ Traditionalists may lament the loss of human involvement. ❌ The absence of disputes could diminish some of Wimbledon's emotional drama. 🚀 The Future of Tennis Officiating By 2025, all ATP Tour events will adopt AI line calling, positioning tennis at the forefront of technological innovation in sports. While the human element of line judging will be missed, this advancement promises a new era of fairness and precision, enhancing the sport for players and fans alike. 🎉

Big changes are coming to Wimbledon in 2025! AI-powered technology will be handling line calls for the first time in the tournament’s history and I had the pleasure of discussing this transition with Aaliyah Harris at Sky News in London last week.🎾 We’re seeing more tournaments, brands, coaches and media embracing the potential of AI to enhance precision in the game, while retaining the essence of the sport. 🚀 Curious about how AI is reshaping tennis and the role SportAI is playing? Check out the article below 👇 https://lnkd.in/dug5gr6Z #SportAI #SportsTech #Wimbledon #AI

AI's Bold Wimbledon 2024 Predictions: Rybakina Favoured, but Early Upsets Loom #Wimbledon2024 #WTApredictions #AI As the excitement builds for Wimbledon 2024, AI algorithms are crunching data to predict the tournament's standout performers and potential surprises. 2022 champion Elena Rybakina emerges as the clear favourite, with her powerful game and previous success on the hallowed grass courts. However, the AI also warns of possible early exits for top players like Iga Swiatek, Ons Jabeur, and even Rybakina herself, highlighting the unpredictable nature of the women's draw. Rising stars such as Mirra Andreeva and Brenda Fruhvirtova are tipped as surprise packages, ready to seize their moment on the big stage. While AI predictions offer intriguing insights, the beauty of sport lies in its ability to defy expectations. As the world's best tennis players converge on SW19, only time will tell who will etch their name on the coveted Venus Rosewater Dish. As a feast of sporting moments unfold this summer, I'm using AI and no-code automations to ideate, scrape, curate and create the best bits, posting at lightning speed across multiple platforms and all social formats. I run an automation agency which can help you 10X your content saving you time and cash. If you want to know how let's talk!