AI won’t replace athletes — but it might coach them

Sports are supposed to be played by people. That's always been the consensus (apart from the robot combat show BattleBots' run in the early 2000s), and it still rings true in the age of AI. 

After all, an LLM can generate an entire application structure in 10 seconds, but it can't land a triple axel.

That makes athletics practically AI displacement-proof — helping newer athletes in particular. As AI steals jobs from entry-level workers across industries, green athletes are actually benefiting from it. 

Some AI-backed coaching resources make sophisticated training more accessible, offering practically anyone access to tools and regimens previously reserved for pros. 

What does that look like?

Consider HomeCourt, an NBA-backed training app offering AI-supported skill development to players at every level — from professional prospects to YMCA warriors. 

Here's how it works:

• A user places their iPhone or iPad on a stand, giving its camera a clear view of the court they're training on. 
• The app uses computer vision and AI recognition to track and analyze the training session, looking at actions like makes, misses, and shot locations. 
• The app considers key metrics (like shot release angle or number of dribbles) and provides instant feedback, audio cues, and coaching. 

Detailed analysis like that used to require sophisticated sensors and equipment. Now, anyone with an iPhone and $8 to spare every month can access it. 

Beyond basketball

Other sports have their own AI-enabled robo-trainers:

• Jabbr uses computer vision to improve combat sport scoring accuracy and easily record bouts for fighters' self-promotion. 
• SwingVision, for tennis pros and pickleballers, supports AI-powered game recordings and insights to optimize on the court.   
• Blast offers analysis for swinging-centric games — specifically baseball, softball, and golf. 

Some tech leaders preach about artificial intelligence as an enabling force, not a displacing one. It's a sentiment that elicits plenty of eye rolls and angry tears in certain fields — but not athletics.

AI has democratized access to sophisticated training resources and regimens. So until ChatGPT can suit up and take the field on Sunday, AI looks like a net positive for sports.