IBM and USTA reveal jaw-dropping AI innovations for the US Open 2024

IBM (NYSE: IBM) and the United States Tennis Association (USTA) have unveiled a series of groundbreaking digital features powered by IBM’s watsonx platform for the upcoming US Open. These advancements are designed to offer a more engaging and informative experience for tennis enthusiasts worldwide.

Among the new features, IBM is introducing AI-generated Match Report summaries for every men’s and women’s singles match. Leveraging IBM’s watsonx platform and its Granite 13B large language model (LLM), these reports will provide detailed post-match articles within minutes of a match’s conclusion. The reports will include player performance analysis, statistics, and highlights, with content reviewed and updated by USTA editorial staff before being published on the US Open app and USOpen.org. This enhancement allows the USTA to deliver comprehensive coverage for all 254 main draw singles matches across seven rounds and 17 courts.

The AI commentary feature, first launched in 2023, is also being upgraded. The improved AI commentary will provide more frequent and nuanced English-language audio and subtitles for match summary highlight videos. This year’s commentary, powered by IBM’s Granite 13B LLM, will deliver enhanced expressiveness and contextual relevance, with highlight packages available shortly after match conclusion.

In addition, the IBM SlamTracker experience has been revamped. The updated SlamTracker offers detailed pre-, live, and post-match insights, including win likelihood predictions, point-by-point analysis, and match previews and recaps. A new near real-time 3D graphic of current play for live matches will be available, providing fans with deeper insights into the action.

IBM is also collaborating with the USTA Foundation to offer career readiness training through IBM SkillsBuild. This initiative aims to support under-resourced youth and align with IBM’s goal to skill 30 million people by 2030. Students from USTA Foundation National Junior Tennis & Learning (NJTL) chapters, as well as teaching professionals and the public, will gain access to AI and professional development courses. The programme includes customized learning plans, workshops, and guidance from IBM volunteers, with resources available in English and Spanish.

Jonathan Adashek, Senior Vice President of Marketing and Communications at IBM, highlighted the value of the new features: “Fans want more quality content around their favorite sports and athletes, and IBM Match Reports enables us to deliver it right away for the US Open. IBM’s continued partnership with the USTA, built on over 30 years of innovation, demonstrates how businesses can modernize and scale their workflows with advanced AI technologies.”

Brian Ryerson, Senior Director of Digital Strategy at the USTA, emphasized the impact of the new digital tools: “AI Match Reports allow us to efficiently provide concise, factual match previews and reports for over 150 matches. This efficiency allows our editorial teams to focus on other storylines and interviews, ensuring comprehensive coverage.”

The integration of these new features highlights IBM and the USTA’s commitment to enhancing the digital experience for US Open fans. The tournament’s digital platforms operate on the USTA’s open hybrid cloud, which integrates technology from various partners and secures the US Open’s world-class digital experience.

The 2024 US Open will take place from August 19 to September 8.