AthleteGPT, a chatbot built using an AI model from French AI startup Mistral, answered questions from attendees about venues, guidelines, and more. With the accuracy and real-time insights provided by AI, referees and umpires can become more accurate. AI-generated highlight reels and AI-enhanced motion tracking and replays enhanced audience engagement. The technology, although controversial, was also used to beef up security in the French capital during the event, helping to track suspicious activity on camera feeds.
Technology companies like Intel, Samsung, and Google have worked closely with the International Olympic Committee (IOC) and broadcasters to bring the magic of AI to stadiums and screens.
Closer to home, several Indian IT companies are developing and deploying this technology in various sports to improve athlete performance and fan engagement.
According to industry estimates, the AI in sports market is expected to reach $6.69 billion by 2028, at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 28.8%. More broadly, the global sports technology market was valued at nearly $16 billion in 2023 and is expected to reach $68 billion by 2031, at a CAGR of 19.9%, according to Data Bridge Market Research.
India’s IT industry sees opportunity in this growing market and is also eyeing the huge impact AI will have as sports organizations strive to keep abreast of technological advancements.
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Infosys, HCLTech, Tech Mahindra and others are leveraging AI-powered real-time player statistics, immersive fan experiences, video coaching solutions, transforming digital properties for sports companies, and increasing the amount of data collected at the individual, team and competition level. AI’s ability to analyze data and provide meaningful insights gives athletes and teams a competitive advantage, allowing them to optimize performance, prevent injuries, and improve training. Industry executives said they can leverage programs, real-time tactical adjustments, and predictive insights for better coaching and strategizing.
“AI’s impact on the sports industry is already significant, powering fan engagement, in-game analytics, content monetization, and more,” said HCLTech Executive Vice President, CTO, and Global Head of Cloud Native and AI Labs. Alan Flower said. “The global sports AI market is poised for significant growth, and sports organizations need to stay on top of the latest advances and integrate AI technology to maximize its benefits and stay ahead of their competitors.”
Flower said AI is revolutionizing areas such as injury prevention, real-time match analysis and personalized training, driving innovation and improving the overall sports experience.
HCLTech partners with Manchester United, Cricket Australia, Scuderia Ferrari (through HCL Software) and MetLife Stadium (home of the New York Giants and New York Jets) to deliver digital transformation across data engineering, analytics, customer experience and AI Flower said they are providing a solution. .
Infosys recently collaborated with the Formula E motorsport series to provide real-time insights powered by generative AI and real-time driver statistics during competition to enhance the viewing experience for fans.
The company has been involved with the tennis world for nine years, bringing digital and AI-driven transformation to the French Open, Australian Open, Association of Tennis Professionals (ATP), and International Tennis Hall of Fame.
“In the world of tennis, we have announced over 30 innovations that bring together the power of generative AI, cloud, metaverse, mixed reality and other new-age technologies,” said Infosys Executive Vice President and Global Chief Marketing Officer said Sumit Virmani.
Fan experiences will be transformed by virtual reality technology, including the 3D-designed Rod Laver Arena and Court Philippe Chatrier created by Infosys, as well as the Match Center for a prestigious tennis tournament, which provides 3D visualization and point-by-point insight. It was done. tool.
Advanced technology democratizes access to deep insights, Virmani said, noting that Infosys’ AI video coaching solution has over 4,000 athletes and coaches.
“The demand for data and AI in sports is rapidly increasing as teams, coaches and organizations seek to gain a competitive edge through advanced analytics and insights,” said Peeyush Dubey, Chief Marketing Officer, Tech Mahindra. I am.
The growing adoption of the Internet of Things (IoT) in sports stadiums also provides efficient management solutions, while the growing need for data-driven insights is driving growth across sports technology solutions. “There are,” Dubey said.
He added that by using Tech Mahindra, sports organizations can develop new services and tailor features to suit the needs of their viewers. It also helps teams and franchises transform their digital assets and generate revenue streams.
In particular, the company strives to use technology to expand the audience for chess, and the 2nd Global Chess League will feature fan activities enabled by next-generation technologies such as the Metaverse, AI, and AR/VR. That’s what I’m aiming for.
“In the near future, we aim to extend our expertise to other sports disciplines and provide the most innovative and immersive experiences to sports fans around the world,” said Dubey.
Ankit Bose, head of Nasscom AI, said the global spotlight on AI during major events like the Olympics has further heightened awareness of its transformative potential in sports. Masu.
“From cybersecurity to content generation, AI is setting new standards for technology-driven sports experiences,” he said. “This increased visibility presents a significant opportunity for Indian IT companies to develop and deploy AI solutions tailored to the evolving needs of the sports industry.”
Indian IT companies, along with leading academic institutions and innovative AI startups, are well-positioned to seize opportunities in the growing sports technology market.
