6 Sports that Utilize AI Brilliantly

2026-02-04

Modern sports are no longer just about an athlete’s endurance, rigorous training, or a coach’s ability to develop talent. Artificial Intelligence (AI) is reshaping this industry by enabling better preparation, more accurate competition analysis, and even aiding in injury recovery and prevention. In this article, we will explore six cases in which AI is already making a significant impact.

AI Trends in the Sports Industry

According to Global Market Insights, the global AI in sports market was valued at $1.2 billion in 2024. By 2034, this figure is projected to rise to $4.7 billion, reflecting the rapid adoption of AI technologies in the industry.

One of the key drivers of this growth is AI’s ability to assist in injury prevention and rehabilitation. AI is also used in officiating, helping referees make precise decisions during matches.

Additionally, analytical tools powered by AI help track athletes’ performance, assess their potential, and optimize overall strategies. Lastly, AI solutions enhance fan engagement by personalizing their experiences.

Sports Integrating AI

Below are six examples of how different games utilizing AI.

Football

Football is one of the most popular sports worldwide, making technological advancements essential for its growth.

The Spanish football club Getafe introduced Zone 7, an AI-powered company that collects data from games, health metrics, and training sessions. This data is converted into scores and risk assessments for injuries.

Reports suggest that this system has been effective, with a 70% reduction in injuries per 1,000 hours, a 65% decrease in match-related injuries, and a significant drop in lost playing days. AI’s role in injury analysis provides insights that coaches may not be able to detect in advance.

Basketball

Another widely popular sport, basketball has embraced AI through optical tracking technology, such as SportVU, used by NBA teams.

These systems analyse sports details, identify playing styles, and provide recommendations for improving techniques. The program tracks player movements 25 times per second, using the data to predict game developments.

Baseball

AI has been tested in baseball to address challenges in officiating, as umpires have been found to miss an average of 14 ball-strike calls per game.

To tackle this issue, a robotic umpire has been introduced, using a 3D doppler radar plate to accurately track pitches. This system can analyse player height and strike zones for precise decision-making.

Tennis

In Australia, AI-powered sports systems have been developed, utilizing the Hawk-Eye Ball Tracking System.

Researchers have captured professional tennis players’ shot data and fed it into an AI system, which then predicts the success of a shot. AI tools assess ball trajectory, evaluate shot effectiveness, and even anticipate match outcomes before they happen.

Rugby

Given the high-paced nature of rugby, AI-powered video analysis tools have been introduced for refereeing.

For example, Toshiba developed new video and audio analysis software that tracks the game in real time, assisting referees in making accurate calls.

Athletics

AI-powered commentary and reporting tools can be integrated into various games, including athletics.

AI-generated sports commentary can provide real-time reports and analysis using live data. For instance, AWS DeepComposer utilizes generative AI to create original soundtracks that capture the emotions of athletes.

Final Word

As these examples illustrate, artificial intelligence is already widely implemented in the sports industry. These advanced tools provide diverse benefits to all sector stakeholders, including athletes, coaches, and fans.

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Sources: AI Time Journal, Codiste, Global Market Insights