We meet the tech giant’s associate partner, Fred Baker, in Wimbledon’s ‘media bunker’ to learn more about the integration of AI and data analytics into the tennis tournament.
IBM is making waves at the Wimbledon tennis tournament with its innovative use of artificial intelligence and data analytics. Speaking from the tournament’s ‘media bunker’, Associate Partner Fred Baker told The Drum how IBM’s systems manage and process big data to improve user experiences online, in apps and on TV, as well as assess player performance.
Improved fan experience
IBM’s technology delivers real-time insights, creating more engaging digital experiences and exciting TV coverage. TV channels, powered by Wit’s data insights, benefit from a wealth of detailed information that enriches broadcasts. “We manage over two and a half million data points in a fortnight,” Baker explains. This data includes both structured and unstructured types from Wimbledon and external sources. The IBM team, which has worked with Wimbledon for 35 years, meticulously organises and catalogues all incoming data, ensuring seamless application usage.
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IBM’s efforts are built on a robust hybrid cloud architecture, integrating IBM and AWS public clouds. “We’ve built applications that dynamically meet those needs in our hybrid architecture,” Baker said. This configuration provides scalability and redundancy, which are critical during the peak tournament demand period versus the offseason. This means servers can be powered down when they’re not needed, saving energy.
At the heart of this architecture is Watson X, IBM’s enterprise data and AI platform. “Watson X drives this entire process, applying intelligence to organize millions of data points and serve both applications and AI models,” Baker said. The AI model developed for Wimbledon can understand and generate tennis-specific content, such as player profiles.
AI-powered player analysis
This advanced AI model leverages trusted data sources and governance frameworks for continuous tuning and feedback. “Our AI can capture nuances like drop shots and other game tactics, providing players and coaches with valuable insights,” Baker said. This detailed analysis helps assess players’ chances and refine their game strategies, providing insights to fans and coaches.
Strengthen security
Security remains a top priority. During the 2023 championships, IBM systems monitored 10 million potential security events, or a quarter million per day. “Our security monitoring service acts as the first triage point, classifying and categorizing events, identifying patterns and determining necessary actions,” Baker explained. This continuous monitoring preserves the integrity of data and applications used throughout the event.
IBM’s integration of artificial intelligence and data analytics at Wimbledon shows how technology can improve both the fan experience and player performance analysis. By managing vast amounts of data, ensuring robust security and applying sophisticated AI models, IBM is extending the spectacle of Wimbledon beyond the tournament courts. “Our goal is simple,” Baker concludes, “to bring fans closer to the action and help players elevate their game.”
