Wimbledon, the prestigious tennis tournament, is embracing Artificial Intelligence (AI) to enhance the fan experience. IBM, the technology partner of Wimbledon, announced that an AI-powered commentary system will be integrated into the tournament’s video highlights, providing fans with a more immersive viewing experience.
The AI commentary tool will be accessible to fans through the official Wimbledon website and app. It will offer audio commentary and captions for key moments in matches, allowing fans to engage with the tournament on a deeper level. Users will have the flexibility to toggle these features on and off as desired. The AI commentary will primarily be focused on matches played outside of Wimbledon’s Show Courts, where live human commentary is already provided.
To develop the AI system, IBM collaborated closely with Wimbledon organisers to train the technology in the language and nuances of tennis. This initiative builds upon Wimbledon’s existing implementation of AI, which includes features like match insights, highlight reels, and a power index leaderboard. Furthermore, the AI tool will analyze the tournament’s singles draw to calculate the players’ chances of reaching the final, providing valuable insights and predictions.
Kevin Farrar, IBM’s sports partnerships leader, emphasized that AI is meant to complement and enhance human sports commentary rather than replace it entirely. He acknowledged the unique contributions of renowned tennis figure John McEnroe, stating that AI cannot replicate his presence. Farrar sees AI as a valuable supplement that enriches the overall commentary experience for fans.
By incorporating AI into the commentary system, Wimbledon aims to provide fans with a more interactive and engaging viewing experience, bringing a new level of excitement to matches.