In the sports world, there's an old saying "dog collar," which means a team is so strong that it doesn't need a coach to win. However, in today's era of rapid AI development, this saying clearly needs to be re-examined.
Last week, the Oakland Ballers made a bold decision in a game in the Pioneer Baseball League: they let an AI system replace the coach and take charge of on-field decisions. This AI system, named "AaronLytics," completely controlled the tactical arrangements and player rotations, while the original coach, Aaron Myers, held an iPad and played a symbolic role.
The Ballers won the game with an amazing score of 5 to 0. This match was not only remembered for the score but also because it was the first time in professional sports history that a team completely handed over command to an AI, marking a revolutionary attempt.
"AaronLytics" was developed by the software company Distillery and was completed in just two weeks. This AI can process real-time game data, team historical performance, and opponent information, as well as consider changes in weather. During the game, the AI issued instructions to substitute players, successfully helping the team score.
However, this attempt was not just about technological exploration. The Ballers had already secured first place in the regular season, so the risk of losing this game was relatively low, allowing them to boldly try something new. Additionally, this was a way for the team to interact with fans; last year they let the audience decide the tactics, and this year they handed the power to AI.
Across the sports world, the application of AI is gradually becoming widespread, and major leagues are continuously exploring how to use AI to enhance the game and the fan experience. However, it is worth noting that AI can calculate the optimal solution, but the charm of sports often comes from humanity and uncertainty. In a game, the outcome depends not only on tactics but also on factors such as player condition and the atmosphere among fans.
After the game, the Ballers also issued a statement saying that AI is just a tool, and true wisdom still comes from humans. They reiterated that they will always choose human coaches rather than cold machines.
This game demonstrated the potential of AI in the field of sports, but it also reminds us that the core charm of sports lies in humanity and unpredictability. Although AI can assist in decision-making, it cannot replace a coach's intuition and passion.
