- IBM and The All England Lawn Tennis Club have launched ‘Catch Me Up’, a new AI-driven feature for Wimbledon.
- The feature provides personalised player stories and match analyses via wimbledon.com and the Wimbledon 2024 App.
- AI-generated content includes pre-match predictions and post-match summaries tailored to user preferences.
- ‘Catch Me Up’ leverages IBM’s Watsonx platform and Granite large language model (LLM) trained on Wimbledon’s editorial style.
- The initiative aims to scale content delivery and deepen fan engagement globally, including coverage of wheelchair events.
Main AI News:
IBM and The All England Lawn Tennis Club have unveiled an innovative addition to the Wimbledon digital experience with the introduction of a new feature powered by generative AI. This collaboration leverages IBM’s AI and data platform, watsonx, to enhance fan engagement through personalised player stories based on match data.
The new ‘Catch Me Up’ feature, accessible via wimbledon.com and the Wimbledon 2024 App, presents pre and post-match player cards enriched with AI-generated content tailored to user preferences and historical data. Before matches, fans can expect analyses of players’ recent performances and predictions on match outcomes. Post-match, the feature provides comprehensive statistics and highlights. Additionally, daily summaries will encapsulate the day’s play in a narrative format.
Developed using IBM’s Granite large language model (LLM), ‘Catch Me Up’ integrates seamlessly with the Watsonx platform, trained specifically on Wimbledon’s editorial style and under the supervision of the All England Club. This initiative aims to cater to Wimbledon’s global audience by scaling content delivery and offering curated coverage across various events, including wheelchair matches, through a revamped digital match center known as IBM Slamtracker.
According to Chris Clements, Digital Products Lead at the All England Club, “Generative AI enables us to elevate the Wimbledon experience, ensuring fans worldwide receive personalised, real-time updates tailored to their preferences. The new ‘Catch Me Up’ feature will facilitate a deeper engagement with the tournament’s key narratives.”
Jonathan Adashek, Senior Vice President of Marketing and Communications for IBM, emphasized, “The launch of ‘Catch Me Up’ exemplifies our ongoing partnership with Wimbledon in leveraging AI to deliver compelling storytelling at scale. Our research underscores the positive reception of AI among tennis enthusiasts, highlighting its potential to enhance digital experiences.”
Recent findings from IBM and Morning Consult reveal that a significant majority of global tennis fans (55%) anticipate AI’s beneficial impact on sports, particularly through real-time updates (36%), personalised content (31%), and insightful analyses (30%). This sentiment is reflected in the growing adoption of multi-device usage during matches, as fans seek enhanced information and interactivity.
As Wimbledon embraces generative AI to broaden match coverage and deepen fan interaction, the tournament sets a precedent for integrating technology into the sporting experience. With ongoing innovations, IBM and The All England Club continue to redefine digital engagement in sports, reinforcing their commitment to enhancing fan experiences both on-site and digitally.
Conclusion:
The introduction of IBM’s ‘Catch Me Up’ feature at Wimbledon represents a significant advancement in leveraging AI for sports entertainment. By enhancing fan interaction with personalised content and real-time updates, IBM and Wimbledon not only cater to existing tennis enthusiasts but also set a precedent for integrating advanced technologies to enrich the digital sports experience. This initiative underscores the growing importance of AI in transforming how sports content is consumed and highlights potential opportunities for similar innovations across other sporting events and digital platforms.
