Justus van Logtestijn

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A few years ago a major change in soccer had been triggered by FIFA. With the introduction of the Video Assistant Referee, better known as the VAR, FIFA tried to make the game fairer. For anyone not familiar with soccer and the VAR: the var is a system in which an assistant referee in a van supports the referee by watching, analysing and judging, for example, fouls by watching the match through a television. The VAR can overrule decisions made by the referee as they have a better view on the game(Pfsa, 2022).

Even though this change made the game fairer, it proved to be a time-consuming process. Not for long though, as FIFA announced new AI-powered technology that will be used during the world cup this year.

One of the new technologies, namely semi-automated offside technology (SAOT), will be used for offside decisions when a potential goal is scored. A 3D map is created of the goal-scoring situation with the usage of a new high-tech football and a staggering 12 cameras. The Adidas Al Rihla ball will be equipped with a sensor that will send position data 500 times per second, which will be matched with the player’s position on the camera, the sync device will track 29 points on the player’s body and pass the information 50 times per second. Afterwards, with the usage of AI technology the data will be processed. Lastly, the VAR will also look at the situation. According to Collina, a well known referee and now working for FIFA, the old VAR system needed 70 seconds to make a decision. In contrast, this new SAOT system takes 25 seconds (MacInnes, 2022).

Personally, I am a big fan of this new SAOT system. The VAR is not widely approved in the world of soccer as it ruins the traditional game. I strongly believe that integrity and fairness are two major pillars in a sport. The VAR definitely makes the game more fair. The only problem I had with the VAR was that it often took them so long to make a decision. With the introduction of the SAOT system, the time process is massively reduced. I firmly believe there is a major role for AI in the future of many sports as it can help massively with fair and quick judgment.

MacInnes, P. (2022, July 2). AI-powered technology will be used to speed up VAR offside calls at World Cup. The Guardian. Retrieved 27 September 2022, from https://www.theguardian.com/football/2022/jul/01/fifa-ai-powered-technology-var-offside-world-cupPfsa, T. (2022, March 11). VAR Explained: What is it and How Does it Work? The PFSA. Retrieved 27 September 2022, from https://thepfsa.co.uk/var-explained-what-is-it-and-how-does-it-work/

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The current war in Ukraine is one we have never seen before; the use of Information Technology and Artificial Intelligence are more important than ever. In this blog I want to explain how Ukraine uses Artificial Intelligence and Information Technology and want to briefly give my opinion on it.

Firstly, Ukraine’s vice prime minister recently admitted the usage of Clearview AI. This AI has facial recognition software. With the software they can identify fallen soldiers in the war. After the faces are recognized, the families of the individuals concerned are notified. The system is used not only for identification of Ukrainian soldiers, it is also used for Russian soldiers. The AI extracts the data from the social media of the soldiers (Dangwal, 2022).

Secondly, Ukraine also uses AI to listen, transcript and translate intercepted Russian communication. The transcripted data automatically transfers to a database for commanders to use the relevant information. You might wonder if we humans are already capable, if not better, in this task. You are probably right! However, the AI systems, provided by Primer, operate at a scale and speed that would require tons of people.This AI system is a way cheaper alternative and more importantly, no humans, who can potentially be at use in the war, are needed (Allen, 2022).

Lastly, western allies provide Ukraine with data about their enemies position obtained by their Information Technology systems. With this data, they exactly know where they need to put more troops and where they can conduct airstrikes (Tsereteli, 2022).

In my opinion, the usage of AI and Information Technology in warfare, is on one hand fascinating to see. On the other hand it is also really scary. Ukraine shows us daily that they are one of the most efficient and capable armies in the world thanks to AI and IT. I firmly believe that AI and IT are still in a beginning phase and there are many more opportunities to develop the systems even more. I therefore find it frightening to think about what AI and IT will do in the future during times of war.

References

Allen, G., C. (2022, May 13). Across Drones, AI, and Space, Commercial Tech Is Flexing Military. www.csis.org. Retrieved September 20, 2022, from https://www.csis.org/analysis/across-drones-ai-and-space-commercial-tech-flexing-military-muscle-ukraine

Dangwal, A. (2022, April 7). Ukraine Uses ‘Controversial’ Artificial Intelligence Tech In Its War Against Russia As Kiev Looks To Win The ‘Digital War.’ www.eurasiantimes.com. Retrieved September 20, 2022, from https://eurasiantimes.com/ukraine-uses-artificial-intelligence-tech-in-its-war-against-russia/

Tsereteli, A. (2022, August 2). War in Europe: Use of Technologies in the Russia-Ukraine War. Friedrich Naumann Foundation. Retrieved September 20, 2022, from https://www.freiheit.org/ukraine-and-belarus/use-technologies-russia-ukraine-war#_ftn9

How the VAR can be less time-consuming during the world championships with the help of AI

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The use of AI and IT during the war in Ukraine

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