Sports organisations are increasingly turning to artificial intelligence (AI) for more consistent and impartial judging. But is this move truly an upgrade? While certain aspects of life—like art and taste—remain subjective, AI is helping bring clarity and precision to competitive sports.

For years, AI has been used to assist in officiating sports, but advancements in technology are spurring its adoption at a larger scale. Let’s explore how AI is reshaping sports, the challenges it faces, and whether it’s the right call.

AI Technology Steps Onto the Field

The Premier League, England’s top soccer competition, recently announced it will implement “semi-automated offside technology” starting in 2025. This system promises faster, more accurate decisions on offside calls by using optical tracking to position players virtually. The League aims to provide a better experience for fans in stadiums and watching broadcasts.

From Tennis Courts to Strike Zones: AI in Action

AI officiating took centre stage in tennis with Hawk-Eye, a system introduced in 2003 for broadcasts and later approved for officiating in 2005. Its use was fast-tracked after a controversial 2004 U.S. Open match, where Serena Williams fell victim to several erroneous calls. During the pandemic, Hawk-Eye replaced many line judges, saving costs and improving accuracy.

In Major League Baseball (MLB), Hawk-Eye is used to monitor strike zones with unparalleled precision. While the technology could theoretically replace umpires, traditionalists argue that the human element adds emotional depth to the game. As economist Daniel Martin puts it, “What we’re selling with sports is not perfection. It’s the human experience, but we want fairness.”

The Psychological Impact of AI

AI’s presence can affect human judges in surprising ways. A study by researchers Daniel Martin and David Almog revealed that while tennis umpires improved their accuracy with Hawk-Eye’s assistance, mistakes occasionally spiked due to the pressure of being monitored by the technology.

This raises an ethical dilemma: while AI oversight enhances fairness, its influence on human welfare and decision-making remains a concern. As Almog notes, “It’s good for performance improvement, but the human impact is still an open question.”

Golf, Gymnastics, and Beyond

In golf, AI has revolutionised the game through the PGA Tour’s ShotLink system, which uses sensors, cameras, and radar to track every shot with impressive precision. This technology allows officials to analyse plays in real-time, offering a level of detail previously unimaginable.

Gymnastics, a sport rooted in subjective scoring, has also embraced AI. The Judging Support System (JSS) from Fujitsu debuted in 2017 and now evaluates all 10 apparatuses used in competitions. Originally developed using Lidar technology, the system has since transitioned to camera-based imaging for more accurate motion analysis. While JSS reduces bias, it also raises questions about how it might affect the artistry that defines gymnastics.

The Future of AI in Sports Judging

Not all organisations are ready to fully embrace AI. The International Olympic Committee (IOC), for instance, has been cautious, focusing on long-term plans to explore AI’s potential rather than rushing into adoption. Colleges and universities, too, face cost barriers that limit widespread implementation of advanced AI systems.

Meanwhile, AI continues to experiment in sports like boxing. In the heavyweight rematch between Oleksandr Usyk and Tyson Fury, a fourth AI-powered judge was introduced to provide an independent scorecard, although it won’t influence the official results.

Balancing Fairness and Entertainment

As AI reshapes sports officiating, its impact extends beyond fairness. For fans, the occasional human error—or watching AI correct it—adds to the drama. The key challenge lies in balancing precision with preserving the human element that makes sports compelling.

Ultimately, as Martin observes, “Humans will remain in the mix because people want to see humans. What we’re selling is not perfection, but fairness combined with the human experience.”

Striking the Right Balance

As AI grows more sophisticated, it faces a balancing act. On one hand, it ensures fairness, eliminates bias, and delivers precision. On the other hand, it risks undermining the emotional and human aspects of sports that fans cherish.

The future of AI in sports will depend on how well it complements human oversight without overshadowing it. As Daniel Martin aptly notes, “Sports are not about selling perfection. They’re about selling the human experience, supported by fairness.”

Whether enhancing decisions on the field or enabling deeper analysis off it, AI is undeniably shaping the future of sports. But at its core, the thrill of the game lies in its imperfections—an umpire’s call, a gymnast’s artistry, or a perfectly human mistake. In 2024 and beyond, the challenge will be to let AI assist without losing what makes sports human.

Continued in 2025

Controversies Surrounding the Use of Artificial Intelligence in Modern Sport

The integration of Artificial Intelligence (AI) into professional sport has been heralded as a means of improving fairness, accuracy, and objectivity. Yet, despite significant technological progress, the use of AI-driven systems remains highly contentious. Disputes often arise from human operational errors, system malfunctions, and deeper philosophical debates regarding the appropriate balance between objective measurement and the inherently subjective nature of athletic performance. This report examines the principal controversies surrounding AI in football, tennis, gymnastics, and talent identification, highlighting the underlying tensions that continue to shape public and professional discourse.

AI in Football: VAR, Offside Technology, and Goal-Line Systems

Human Error in VAR Operations

Although designed to assist referees, the Video Assistant Referee (VAR) system remains one of football’s most divisive innovations. A prominent incident occurred during a 2023 Premier League match between Liverpool and Tottenham Hotspur, in which a legitimate goal by Luis Díaz was incorrectly disallowed. The AI-assisted system had identified the player as onside; however, a communication failure among VAR officials prevented the intervention that would have corrected the on-field decision. This episode underscored the extent to which human oversight, rather than the AI itself, can undermine the credibility of the technology.

“Millimetric” Offside Decisions

Semi-automated offside technology (SAOT) has drawn criticism for its extreme precision. Goals have been ruled out by the narrowest of margins, prompting claims from supporters and commentators that such decisions, although technically correct, diminish the spirit and fluidity of the game. The debate centres on whether hyper-precise measurement aligns with the intended purpose of football’s laws or represents an over-reliance on technological interpretation.

Failures in Goal-Line Technology

In the 2019–2020 Premier League season, goal-line technology failed to register a clear goal due to camera obstruction. This error had material consequences for the match and later contributed to the eventual relegation of the disadvantaged team. The incident raised serious questions about system reliability and the dangers of assuming infallibility in AI-based officiating tools.

AI in Tennis: Electronic Line Calling and Player Confidence

System Errors at Wimbledon

Wimbledon’s transition to a fully AI-powered Electronic Line Calling (ELC) system has not been without controversy. During the 2025 Championships, an “operator error” resulted in the system being unintentionally deactivated for an entire game. Several line calls were missed, leading the affected player, Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova, to assert that the game had been effectively “stolen” from her. The episode reignited debate regarding the wisdom of removing human line judges entirely.

Player Mistrust and the Loss of the Human Element

Some professional players, including Belinda Bencic, have openly expressed distrust in the technology. Their concerns extend beyond accuracy, touching upon the sense that human judgement—along with its occasional imperfections—forms part of the traditional character of the sport. Critics argue that total reliance on AI risks altering the emotional and psychological dynamics of match play.

AI in Gymnastics: Objectivity, Subjectivity, and the Artistic Dimension

The International Gymnastics Federation (FIG) is piloting an AI-assisted Judging Support System (JSS) intended to reduce human bias by providing objective technical scoring. While this has potential to enhance fairness, controversy persists over whether AI can adequately assess the artistic and expressive elements that are fundamental to the sport. Many believe that excessive mechanisation of judging could erode the creative nuance that distinguishes gymnastics from purely technical disciplines.

AI in Scouting and Talent Identification

Beyond officiating, AI is increasingly adopted by sports clubs for scouting and player evaluation. While data-driven assessment can broaden the search for emerging talent, concerns have arisen regarding algorithmic bias. Systems trained on historical performance data may inadvertently favour individuals who resemble existing elite athletes in physique, background, or training environment. This may disadvantage players from underrepresented groups or lower-resourced academies, potentially reinforcing existing inequalities within sport development pathways.