IBM and USTA Elevate US Open Experience with Cutting-Edge AI Commentary and Draw Analysis

TL;DR:

  • IBM and USTA collaborate to enhance 2023 US Open digital platforms.
  • AI Commentary feature utilizes IBM watsonx AI platform for immersive spoken commentary and captions.
  • AI Draw Analysis projects players’ advantages/disadvantages using structured and unstructured data.
  • IBM’s expertise in AI and USTA’s tennis insight drive innovations for deeper fan engagement.

Main AI News:

In a groundbreaking collaboration, IBM (NYSE: IBM) and the United States Tennis Association (USTA) are set to revolutionize the 2023 US Open digital platforms. Through ingenious integration of Artificial Intelligence (AI), fans are in for a treat with immersive AI-generated spoken commentary and AI-driven draw analysis on USOpen.org and the US Open app.

IBM’s prowess in AI, harnessed by its innovative AI and data platform, IBM watsonx, will take center stage. The AI Commentary feature, a pinnacle of this endeavor, will usher spectators into an era of profound insight and engagement. Leveraging advanced models fine-tuned by IBM experts in collaboration with USTA, watsonx AI Commentary will render vivid audio narration and dynamic captions for each US Open highlight video. The sheer scale of this feat is unprecedented, covering every singles match across the sprawling seventeen courts.

Notably, the development journey of IBM watsonx powered AI Commentary was fueled by the fusion of IBM iX’s expertise in experience design and the unique language of tennis. The hybrid cloud infrastructure, powered by Red Hat OpenShift, provided the ideal canvas for deploying generative AI. The result? A symphony of diverse sentence structures and rich vocabularies that transform video clips into informative and captivating narratives.

Jonathan Adashek, Senior Vice President of Communications and Marketing at IBM, emphasized the potential of this technological marvel: “Thanks to the power of IBM’s watsonx generative AI, specifically trained on the language of tennis, fans accessing the US Open digital experiences this year will be able to experience every single match, across all seventeen courts, with detailed audio narration and captions accompanying each video.

Yet, that’s not all. The innovation spree continues with the introduction of the IBM watsonx powered AI Draw Analysis. This revolutionary tennis statistic employs a fusion of structured and unstructured data from IBM Power Index & Likelihood to Win. The result? A dynamic projection of players’ advantages or disadvantages in the singles draw. Each player is bestowed with an AI Draw Analysis at the tournament’s onset, a document that evolves daily as the competition unfolds. A unique ranking system enables fans to dissect match intricacies and potential rivals, enriching their understanding of each round’s unfolding drama.

Brian Ryerson, Senior Director of Digital Strategy at USTA, resonated with this year’s heightened experience: “We’re particularly excited this year for fans to experience IBM’s AI commentary with watsonx for all Singles Highlights, providing deeper insights into our video highlights than ever before. Additionally, with the watsonx powered AI Draw Analysis fans can easily visualize each player’s potential opponents and highlight their complete path to the finals allowing greater insight into each round’s potential match ups.”

IBM’s legacy as the USTA’s technology partner for over three decades is magnificently epitomized through these transformative innovations. With over 12 million global enthusiasts eagerly anticipating each US Open, IBM’s contributions make these experiences more immersive and exhilarating than ever. The AI Commentary and AI Draw Analysis are the latest gems in a treasure trove of digital fan features, accentuating the existing suite of IBM Power Index, Match Insights, and Likelihood to Win.

Fueling these innovations is the USTA’s robust hybrid cloud platform, a testament to a seamless integration of technologies from a spectrum of partners. It orchestrates key processes, secures the digital journey, and ensures a world-class US Open experience. As the 2023 US Open beckons, IBM and USTA extend an invitation to dive into a realm where AI reshapes the very essence of sports engagement.

Conclusion:

These advancements mark a pivotal moment for the market, showcasing the fusion of AI and sports entertainment. The AI Commentary and Draw Analysis elevate fan experiences, highlighting the potential for AI to transform engagement strategies across various industries, inviting deeper connections between technology and audience engagement. This collaborative effort sets a precedent for future partnerships between technology giants and sports organizations, as they leverage AI’s capabilities to redefine user interaction.

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