Technology

IBM (NYSE: IBM) and The All England Lawn Tennis Club have introduced a groundbreaking feature for the Wimbledon digital experience, leveraging match data and generative AI from IBM’s AI and data platform, watsonx. This innovative 'Catch Me Up' feature is designed to keep fans updated on the world’s leading players as they progress through The Championships.

The ‘Catch Me Up’ feature, accessible via wimbledon.com and the Wimbledon 2024 App, showcases pre- and post-match player cards enriched with AI-generated player stories and analysis. Personalized based on user preferences and data, such as location and myWimbledon profile, the player cards start with fans' favorite players. Pre-match content includes analysis of recent performances and win probability predictions, while post-match content highlights key statistics and match summaries. Additionally, the feature will generate longer-form daily summaries of play.

Built using IBM’s Granite large language model (LLM) and the capabilities of the watsonx platform, the ‘Catch Me Up’ feature is trained in the Wimbledon editorial style and monitored by the All England Club. This feature aims to scale Wimbledon’s content for both new and existing tennis fans globally, providing timely, curated coverage across all singles matches.

This year, Wimbledon will utilize generative AI to extend coverage to a broader range of matches, including wheelchair events, thereby catering to Wimbledon’s diverse international audience. This enhancement will be part of a redesigned digital match center, IBM Slamtracker, available on the Wimbledon App and wimbledon.com. IBM Slamtracker, powered by generative AI from watsonx, will offer bullet point-based match previews and post-match reviews for all singles matches.

Majority of Tennis Fans Surveyed Are Positive About AI

A new survey conducted by IBM and Morning Consult reveals a positive outlook on AI among tennis fans. The research indicates that the majority of UAE tennis fans surveyed believe technology will significantly enhance various aspects of the sport.

• 81% of UAE tennis fans think technology will positively impact fan engagement.
• 88% believe it will advance training.
• 89% see a positive impact on game strategy.
• 87% believe it will improve coaching.
• 85% think it will aid talent identification and acquisitions.

The survey also highlights that UAE sports fans commonly use multiple devices to consume sports content simultaneously.

• 25% of UAE sports fans use two devices at once, slightly above the global average of 22%.
• 10% of UAE fans aged 18-29 use three or more devices at once, equal to the global average.
• Reasons for multi-device use include getting more game information (52%), interacting with fans (42%), and multitasking (38%).

Jonathan Adashek, Senior Vice President of Marketing and Communications for IBM, commented: "The new 'Catch Me Up' feature exemplifies how generative AI can deliver compelling, insight-driven storytelling at scale. For 35 years, IBM and Wimbledon have co-created solutions that make fans feel more connected to the on-court action. Our new research shows that fans are starting to appreciate the positive impact of technologies like generative AI on their digital experiences. IBM is also applying these same technologies from our AI and data platform watsonx across various sectors to address unique business needs."

For over 35 years, IBM and Wimbledon have partnered to enhance fan engagement and connection to the on-court action through innovative solutions.

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