Mikko

Welcome back to AI Squared, where two minds explore one intelligent future.

And I'm Mikko.

In our last episode, we went interstellar, exploring how AI is changing space exploration and the future of humanity beyond Earth.

But today, we're keeping it closer to home, in stadiums, gyms, and arenas.

This episode is all about AI in sports and performance.

The question we'll explore, can AI make sports smarter and fairer, or does it risk taking away the very human element that makes the competition exciting?

Take companies like Zone 7 and Catapult Sports.

Their systems use AI to track biometric data, heart rate, fatigue, sleep quality, and predict injuries before they happen.

It's saving careers, and professional soccer teams like Liverpool and Real Madrid use these tools to protect multi-million dollar players and extend peak performance windows.

AI doesn't just improve performance either, it personalizes it.

So two players can do the same drill, but AI tailors each to their unique biomechanics and recovery profile.

and that could be a potential game changer.

Basketball teams like the Golden State Warriors use AI to analyze player movements, predict defensive gaps, and simulate play outcomes in real time to improve their in-game performances.

AI isn't just reading stats anymore, it's also interpreting them and identifying tendencies, like how a player reacts to pressure or which direction you're likely to move under stress.

The result?

Strategies becoming a part science and part algorithm.

Now, let's talk about fairness.

Refereeing, one of the most controversial aspects of sports, is getting an AI upgrade.

These systems have virtually eliminated human error in certain calls.

and not without some controversy.