NBA took a historic step toward modernizing officiating with the introduction of an automated system based on artificial intelligence (AI), designed to assist referees in real time and increase accuracy in the most controversial decisions.
According to The Associated Press, the technology was already used successfully in the last season, including a key play involving LeBron James against Indiana Pacers, in which the system confirmed the validity of the point and cleared up any doubt about a possible infraction.
The new method combines sensors, high-speed cameras, and machine learning algorithms that accurately track the position of the ball, players' feet, and hands. "What we do is track multiple objects in space with unbelievable precision," explained Evan Wasch, executive vice president of basketball strategy and analytics for the league.
Wasch emphasized that the system doesn't replace referees but rather complements them: "If we invest in this technology to get more objective calls right, we achieve two things: accuracy increases and referees can focus on the difficult plays, which also increases accuracy in those situations."
