ABSTRACT

Ultimately, knowing where the world of sport is headed with artificial intelligence (AI) can only be a function of conjecture and the speculative attempts by humans to predict the future. However, one thing that is certain is that the acceleration of AI throughout human society seems irrevocable. A failure to address the ethical considerations of AI in sport would be inexcusable. The speed with which the issues of diversity, equity and inclusion have recently impacted the industry has hopefully taught the industry that moral imperatives carry significant power. An article in the Nature publication of 4 May 2021, entitled “Cooperative AI: machines must learn to find common ground”, carefully bypasses the type of confrontational rhetoric that often accompanies discussions concerning the accelerating development of AI. The AI of the future might eventually be one that is more akin to biological systems, rather than purely mechanical ones.