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Major League Baseball (MLB) has announced plans to implement “robotic umpire” technology in select ballparks during spring training of 2024.

The initiative centers around a “challenge system” that will allow players and managers to challenge umpire calls using advanced Artificial Intelligence (AI) powered technology.

The system’s cornerstone is ABS technology, which works in conjunction with Hawk-Eye cameras to track pitches’ locations relative to the strike zone.

Through this system, teams will have a limited number of challenges which they can appeal on field decisions.

MLB Commissioner Rob Manfred addressed the media at the league’s owners meetings, stating, “I think we will have a Spring training ABS test that will provide a meaningful opportunity for all Major League players to see what the challenge system will look like.”

He added that “It won’t be in every single ballpark, but we actually have a plan where every team will get meaningful exposure to that.”

The league has set its sights on fully introducing the system by the 2026 regular season.

This move represents part of a sweeping trend of AI integration in sports, which has been rapidly transforming athletic competition across disciplines.

In professional sports, AI’s impact extends far beyond officiating.

Teams are increasingly leveraging AI systems to monitor player’s movements like running speed, reaction time, and workout intensity.

This data enables coaches and team physicians to develop personalized training regimens and predict injury risks, ultimately helping to protect players and optimize their performance. 

Virtual training systems, combining AI and virtual reality technology, have emerged as valuable tools for athlete development. 

Formula 1 racing exemplifies this advancement, using AI-powered simulators to help drivers practice various racing scenarios safely while receiving real-time feedback on techniques and timing.

These technologies help drivers improve their performance, and enable F1 teams to prepare more efficiently.

Not only that but the integration of AI has enhanced the spectator experience.

Spain’s La Liga demonstrates this through its Mediacoach platform, which processes approximately 3.5 million data points per game, analyzing everything from ball movement to shot angles.

This information is then translated into visual presentations that deepen fan’s understanding of the game. 

Perhaps one of the most notable implementations of AI in sports officiating came during the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, where FIFA debuted its Semi-Automated Offside Technology.

The system employs multiple specialized cameras to track player and ball movement in real time, delivering decisions within 25 seconds while providing 3D graphics to illustrate the calls to viewers.

As sports continue to embrace technological innovation, AI’s role continues to grow, promising enhanced accuracy while making athletic competition increasingly dynamic and competitive.