How Artificial Intelligence Is Already Changing Sports, with Daryl Morey and Sendhil Mullainathan
Mar 13, 2025
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Daryl Morey, President of basketball operations for the Philadelphia 76ers and a trailblazer in sports analytics, teams up with Sendhil Mullainathan, an MIT professor specializing in algorithms and behavior. They explore how AI is revolutionizing basketball strategies and decision-making, including the use of language models in scouting. The conversation dives into the balance between entertainment and efficiency, the potential for algorithmic bias, and the future roles of experts in sports amidst this tech evolution.
Artificial intelligence is revolutionizing sports management by enhancing player evaluation and decision-making through predictive analytics and large language models.
The entertainment aspect of sports is crucial, prompting teams to blend competitive success with engaging narratives to foster fan connection and investment.
Deep dives
The Impact of AI on Sports Decision-Making
Artificial intelligence has significantly influenced how decisions are made in sports management, particularly in areas like player evaluation and performance analysis. Executives like Daryl Morey apply AI techniques such as machine learning for forecasting draft picks and player performance. By utilizing advanced algorithms for predictive analytics, teams can analyze various factors, including player statistics and injury risks, improving the decision-making process during trades and game strategies. The combination of AI insights along with human judgment creates a more robust framework for making informed decisions that can have profound implications for team success.
The Evolution of AI from Simple Algorithms to LLMs
The conversation highlights the shift from traditional AI methods towards more complex models like large language models (LLMs) in sports analytics. These advancements have opened new opportunities for analysis that were previously unimaginable, such as identifying subtle patterns in game strategies or player behaviors. LLMs can contribute to decision-making by providing insights comparable to human input, although they still rely on human expertise to validate their conclusions. The perspective also suggests future exploration into using AI not only for game analysis but also for enhancing self-awareness in decision-makers by identifying biases and optimizing strategies.
The Intriguing Relationship Between Sports and Entertainment
The discussion emphasizes how the entertainment aspect of sports can be just as critical as winning, shaping the viewing experience for fans. Engaging storylines and player narratives often capture the audience's attention, sometimes even more than a team's win-loss record. This shift suggests an imperative for teams to balance competitive success with creating entertaining narratives, as fan engagement and emotional investment enhance the overall value of sports. Insight into fan sentiments indicates that while teams typically strive for championship wins, the intricate dynamics of storytelling and character development may redefine success in sports.
Future Considerations for Decision-Making in Sports
As sports continue to evolve with the advancement of technology, the role of data collection and analysis becomes paramount in decision-making. Executives are encouraged to explore new data points, such as injury predictors, that could revolutionize how teams approach player health and performance. Furthermore, the application of sophisticated analytics can lead to a deeper understanding of the impact of decisions being made, allowing for continual improvement in strategies. By leveraging these insights, sports organizations can enhance their operational effectiveness and ultimately achieve better outcomes in the highly competitive landscape.
Everyone is talking about A.I. now, but what we haven't heard is an updated, informed discussion of what, exactly, it will do to the sports world. So in our first on-stage episode, at the MIT Sloan Sports Analytics Conference, Pablo hosts an actual verified genius... and a pioneering NBA executive who gets to be sarcastically referred to as one. We discover how the Philadelphia 76ers already consult large language models, why artificial general intelligence is actually unambitious and much more. But rest assured: At this moment of tension between entertainment and efficiency, the forecast is Kyle Lowry with a chance of Gasol.