TECHNOLOGY, TEACHING & LEARNING
beneficial to athletes and coaches. “[If] player performance data can be analysed in real time, you can imagine the impact [that would have on] coaches being able to make better decisions in strategising, and this gives them a competitive edge. [This] isn’t done right now in the way it needs to [be done] in the Caribbean, but this is where we need to go.” T he Deputy Dean outlined some of the many benefits of the technology but said there were also downsides. She noted warnings from American tech giant Elon Musk and other big names in the global technology industry about the potential harm of AI if it is not effectively controlled and managed. She predicted the billion-dollar, sport-betting industry would not escape unscathed as people placing bets could do with the assistance of AI, and some athletes could also use it unethically and likely escape detection because of AI’s vast capacity to learn. Despite these issues, Reifer cautioned the Caribbean against being left behind in the AI race and suggested it be introduced responsibly. Concomitantly, she said there also should be a push for more research and development. She said her faculty was already holding discussions on the technology and how it can be utilised in some of its academic programmes.
Amanda Reifer , Deputy Dean, International Partnerships and Business Development, Faculty of Sport; and Haydn Gill , Daily Editor, The Nation Publishing Co. Ltd.
“We need to sound the alarm that these conversations have to be had now if we are going to attempt to regulate, far less, try to control this beast that has been unleashed on the world. In the Caribbean, we always talk about levelling the playing field … and I always like to look at the glass as half- full, so I’m very optimistic. If we invest and get on the AI train early, we could compete; but I don’t believe we will have a level playing field …” “From a sport perspective, we can look at AI-powered sport analytics programmes, and we can incorporate those into our programmes; all the wearable technology we can use and the AI-powered fan engagement tools.” According to the sport administrator, with the world becoming more interconnected and technological advancements occurring at an unprecedented pace, the Caribbean needed to stay ahead of the curve rather than being content with past glories. u
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