If you haven’t used ChatGPT yet…
Then I really don’t know what you’ve been doing the last 6 months.
But anyway, Large Language Models (LLMs) such as ChatGPT and Bard are going to have a significant impact on sports:
- complete customization
- deeper analysis & insights
- streamlined content production
Let’s Dive In 👇
Understanding Generative AI
Generative AI describes algorithms (such as ChatGPT) that can be used to create new content — including audio, code, images, text, simulations, and videos.
Recent breakthroughs have the potential to drastically impact the world…
And while it feels like the perfect AI storm has just begun, in reality, it has been 70+ years in the making.
ChatGPT and its ability to prompt LLMs via natural language (instead of code) removed significant friction and led to widespread adoption.
Think about how AI voice technology is going to impact the evolution of fan engagement experiences.
Imagine saying into your phone:
- “Design a jersey with my last name on the back, #87, and make it the alternative color they wore last week”
or eventually going a layer deeper…
- “I want two box seats to Sunday’s game, a beer after the 1st quarter, nachos at halftime, and a new hat when leaving the stadium”.
So how big is the AI sports market?
According to Allied Market Research, the AI segment of the sports industry is expected to reach $19.2 billion by 2030.
Keep in mind that AI is actually a very broad term:
The sports industry is already using AI to analyze player performance, create highlight clips, and improve refereeing.
This same sentiment will extend to sports brands as they attempt to attract new fans and engage their current supporters year-round.
In this regard, generative AI is a game changer.
Generative AI Applications in Sports
There is an array of verticals within the sports industry set to benefit (and be disrupted) by generative artificial intelligence.
Content Creation
Sports organizations spend substantial resources and time creating game summaries, player analyses, and reports.
Generative AI can make this process more efficient and scalable, saving time and resources as well as enhancing staff productivity.
Taking it a step further…
Imagine airing this with a popular commentator’s or former player’s AI voice in multiple languages.
Also, generative AI can be valuable in helping rights owners reach the next generation of sports fans, as it allows for content to be created and distributed almost instantaneously.
Personalized Fandom
Generative AI is ushering in an era of hyper-personalized fan engagement.
By analyzing a fan’s engagement history such as their favorite teams, watched games, and players they follow…
Generative AI can craft custom content that speaks directly to individual preferences.
This could include customized player updates, game/match summaries, fantasy league recommendations, or personalized conversational videos and messages.
The NBA and WSC have been doing this to pump out millions of social media clips since 2015.
Deeper Insights
Whoop announced it’s adding generative AI to its platform with a new feature called Whoop Coach.
Powered by ChatGPT, it’s meant to deliver more personalized recommendations and data insights.
It can:
- recommend workouts
- handle customer support queries
- answer health and fitness questions
- deliver insights into why you’re tired or feeling sick
- tell you how your data stacks up to other people in your demographic
All of this depends on how much data you give Whoop, but expect most fitness technologies to head in this direction.
Sponsorship
New emerging industries spend a ton of sponsorship money on sports…
Crypto companies spent $3 billion on sports over the last few years.
With AI companies raising big money, they’ll undoubtedly turn to sports for sponsorship dollars.
Curious about what sports sponsorships are up next?
Look at where VC and PE dollars are flowing.
Dystopian Viewpoint
It’s inevitable that AI is going to disrupt jobs, productivity, and how humans work.
The reality was and still is this…
Most our time spent at work is useless and not productive — we’re just filling hours for the sake of filling hours (remote jobs proved this).
As Generative AI further amplifies this, in theory, humans are going to have more free time to do the things that we love.
- play sports
- watch sports
- consume entertainment
On top of that, our AI chat assistants (who will have access to our data) will be able to provide even better recommendations.
I’m still thinking through all of this…
But in recapping:
Generative AI will reduce working hours, allowing us more free time, therefore increasing our consumption of sports and time spent playing sports.
Going Forward
AI will not replace human expertise and oversight for the foreseeable future.
Moreover, challenges around hallucinations (when LLMs generate false information) mean verifying outputs will still need to take place.
“We tend to overestimate the effect of a technology in the short run and underestimate the effect in the long run.” – Roy Charles Amara
Some AI predictions by Andre Retterath:
- The cost of experimentation will go down
- Identification of new things will accelerate
- Everything and everyone will have a digital twin
All in all, Generative AI is going to help push forward sports to new heights (as long as it doesn’t bring down the whole world in the process).
