Why Don’t We Trust Technology in Sport?

The relationship between sports and technology is often a contentious one, a delicate balance between enhancing the game and disrupting its inherent drama. Wimbledon’s Centre Court recently became a microcosm of this ongoing tension, showcasing the friction that can arise when human intuition clashes with the cold, hard logic of machines.

During a match, a crucial point was decided by an electronic line-calling system, a technology now fully integrated into the tournament, replacing human line judges. However, a glitch occurred when Britain’s Sonay Kartal hit a shot that was clearly out. Despite the players’ and umpire’s belief that the ball was out, the electronic system remained silent. This anomaly led to the point being replayed, a decision that ultimately benefited Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova’s opponent, and left Pavlyuchenkova feeling that the game had been “stolen” from her. The situation was compounded when it emerged that the system was accidentally switched off, a mundane yet critical human error.

This incident has fueled a broader conversation about the place of technology in sports, with some questioning whether it truly belongs amidst cherished traditions. The sentiment echoes sentiments from other sports, like football’s VAR (Video Assistant Referee), which has also been a source of controversy. While VAR aims for accuracy, instances of “significant human error” in its implementation have led to widespread frustration. The Premier League reported high accuracy rates for VAR, but acknowledged that even a single error can have major consequences, with some countries like Norway reportedly reconsidering its use.

Professor Gina Neff from Cambridge University suggests that our distrust stems from a deeply ingrained sense of fairness, where humans believe machines lack the contextual understanding that people possess. “People are really good at including multiple values and outside considerations,” she explains, “what’s the right call might not feel like the fair call.” The debate, she argues, should not be about whether humans or machines are “better,” but rather about optimizing the “intersection between people and systems.” This principle of “responsible AI” emphasizes human oversight to ensure technology is deployed fairly and safely.

Entrepreneur Azeem Azhar points to a general unease with rapidly advancing technology, stating, “We don’t feel we have agency over its shape, nature and direction.” This sentiment extends beyond sports, as seen in healthcare, where patients often prefer human diagnoses for serious conditions like cancer, even when AI can be more accurate. Similarly, autonomous vehicles, despite having a statistically better safety record than human drivers, are met with skepticism by a significant portion of the public.

Sports journalist Bill Elliott observes that the pursuit of “perfection” through technology can inadvertently lead to a less engaging experience. “If life was perfect we’d all be bored to death,” he remarks. The Wimbledon incident, where a system designed for accuracy experienced a critical failure due to a simple human error, serves as a potent reminder that even the most advanced technologies are susceptible to mishap. As technology continues to evolve, the challenge lies in integrating it seamlessly, ensuring it enhances, rather than detracts from, the human element that makes sports so compelling.

The All England Lawn Tennis Club, while confident in its electronic line-calling system, has now made it impossible to manually deactivate, highlighting a commitment to the technology despite the recent controversy. The future of technology in sports hinges on finding a harmonious blend that commands trust and preserves the spirit of competition.

Key Takeaways:

• Incidents at Wimbledon have highlighted public distrust in sports technology, often stemming from a perception of unfairness or lack of human context.
• Human error in operating or implementing advanced systems, such as the accidental deactivation of Wimbledon’s line-calling system, erodes confidence.
• Experts emphasize the need for a balance between technological accuracy and human judgment, advocating for “responsible AI” with human oversight.
• The broader societal unease with rapidly advancing technology, including AI and autonomous systems, also influences acceptance in sports.
• While technology offers potential for greater accuracy, its perceived impact on the “human element” and the potential for boredom in a “perfect” game remain significant concerns.