To reduce injuries or increase the efficiency of training – experts predict the use of AI in many areas.
Artificial intelligence has long found its place in working with texts and images. And its widespread use in sports could lead to an increase in the level of performance of professional athletes, as well as help encourage others to play sports, according to Alex Bonnet, an engineer at the company Encord, which specializes in the development of AI models.
In a comment to the PA news agency, Bonnet noted that AI-based machines have been used in sports for some time, performing a variety of tasks (from statistical data collection to Hawk-Eye computer vision systems).
“We’ve seen that in chess, the use of artificial intelligence has actually forced players to find new ways to play. They practice a lot against computers, and computers don’t always play the way a human does, so the style of chess is different now than it used to be before,” emphasizes Bonne.
But with more powerful machine learning programs and an increased set of data for their use, it will be possible to open a whole set of methods that can help athletes, the expert emphasizes. It can be improving training techniques and nutrition or developing tactics and strategy.
“This can also be applied to traditional sports like football, tennis, rugby, where you can discover new strategies. With new AI tools, you can explore different scenarios and how new techniques will be applied in the real world. For example, in cycling … many athletes use stickers on their bikes to tell them when it’s time to eat and drink, but AI can do that for you. … AI can also be involved in planning optimal training for athletes. This can improve performance , but also to reduce injuries, especially in sports like tennis and football. … You can analyze the training and make it better, which will ultimately lead to fewer injuries and better performance of the players,” says the specialist.
Bonnet emphasizes. that the field of use of artificial intelligence should not be limited to professional sports. It can also diversify the game of tennis, badminton or golf for fun, and simply make sports more fun.
“It will make sports more exciting. You can get a gamified experience, add that extra layer, and it will get people interested in sports,” he is convinced.