Soccer, a sport with a rich history spanning over two thousand years, is undergoing another evolution with the integration of artificial intelligence (AI). From synthetic playing surfaces to semi-automated offside technology, AI is revolutionizing the game at all levels.
AI in Professional Soccer
The use of AI in professional soccer has improved accuracy and efficiency in various aspects of the game. For instance, the introduction of semi-automated offside technology (SAOT) at the 2022 World Cup significantly reduced review times. AI tracks players using multiple high-speed cameras, generating 3D animations to determine exact positions at the moment of a pass, thus improving accuracy compared to human linesmen alone.
Major League Soccer (MLS) utilizes AI to evaluate amateur players virtually, making global talent discovery possible without traditional scouting trips. This technology also enables parents to capture their child’s earliest development by setting up an AI sports camera on the sidelines, allowing for automated tracking and videography.
Democratizing Soccer
AI is not only an edge for players and coaches at the highest professional level but also helps democratize the pursuit of going pro. By bringing video, analysis, and data-driven coaching to millions of players, AI is making it possible for those who may never train at an elite academy to receive meaningful feedback and opportunities to improve.
AI sports camera companies have developed technologies that automate game tracking and generate highlights for grassroots soccer. These technologies can also foster a player’s love of the game at an early age by making ‘film review’ sessions with coaches a fun and engaging experience.
Automated tracking systems can now follow every movement on the field without a camera operator, freeing coaches to focus on more meaningful work. Computer vision can automatically identify players, recognize game situations, and generate highlights. AI-powered analytics are becoming increasingly capable of measuring positioning, decision-making, and tactical patterns that once required hours of manual review.
Original reporting: KTVZ (Central Oregon) — read the source article.
