This week at the X Games in Aspen, a groundbreaking experiment is taking place that could reshape how subjective sports like snowboarding are judged. Organizers are testing artificial intelligence (AI) to analyze halfpipe runs, offering a glimpse into the future of sports scoring.
Revolutionizing Competition Scoring
Famous for pushing the boundaries of action sports, the X Games is at the forefront of this innovative effort. Partnering with Google and its co-founder Sergey Brin, X Games CEO Jeremy Bloom has led the charge in developing this cutting-edge AI technology.
“This could redefine judging not only in snowboarding but also in other subjectively scored competitions like slopestyle and skateboarding,” says Bloom, a former Olympic skier and college football player. “Even the best human judges have limitations. AI can provide insights that enhance fairness and accuracy.”
The Problem with Traditional Judging
Judging controversies are common in high-stakes competitions. Snowboarding, known for its laid-back culture, is no exception.
For example, at the Beijing Winter Olympics, Japan’s Ayumu Hirano performed the sport’s most difficult trick—a triple cork—during a stellar run. Despite this, he was initially scored lower than a competitor who didn’t attempt the trick, sparking social media outrage. While Hirano later secured the gold with a repeat performance, the initial oversight highlighted the potential for human error.
Another instance involved Canadian slopestyler Max Parrot, who admitted to not properly grabbing his board during a gold-medal run—a detail judges missed but could have caught with advanced tools.
How AI Enhances Judging
While the AI at the X Games won’t affect official scores this year, it serves as a valuable test for future integration. The system has been trained on thousands of hours of footage and judging criteria, allowing it to evaluate runs in real-time.
Key Features of AI Judging:
- Predicting Outcomes: During practice, the AI identifies potential top finishers based on performance data.
- Run Analysis: The AI judges specific riders live, offering insights into their technique and execution.
- Broadcast Enhancements: AI analysis is shared with TV audiences and live judges, adding depth to commentary.
“This technology is still in its infancy, but it’s already capable of remarkable things,” says Bloom.
Balancing AI and Human Expertise
Unlike sports like gymnastics, where specific points are assigned to each move, snowboarding scores involve subjective assessments of height, difficulty, and execution. AI will support human judges rather than replace them, ensuring more objectivity without losing the nuanced human touch.
The Future of AI in Sports
The X Games’ use of AI represents a pivotal step toward blending human expertise with technological precision in sports judging. By collaborating with tech leaders like Google, the X Games is setting a new standard for fairness and innovation in competitive sports.
This experiment could mark the beginning of a transformative era in which AI becomes an indispensable tool for ensuring fairness and accuracy in subjective competitions worldwide.
