Google DeepMind’s new AI system, TacticAI, is set to revolutionize soccer coaching by offering detailed insights into corner kicks and overall player setups during matches. This innovative tool has been developed in collaboration with Liverpool Football Club and marks a significant advancement in the application of AI in sports.
TacticAI leverages both predictive and generative AI models to enhance the strategic capabilities of soccer coaches. This AI assistant is specifically designed to handle various aspects of the game but focuses particularly on corner kicks, a critical part of soccer that can determine the outcome of matches. The AI analyzes existing game data to predict outcomes like which player is most likely to receive the ball and the likelihood of a shot attempt following a corner kick. This capability allows coaches to experiment with different player arrangements and strategies in a virtual setup before implementing them in actual games.
The technology behind TacticAI involves a complex system of geometric deep learning, which models the positions and movements of players as nodes within a network, helping to predict and generate possible game scenarios. This method not only predicts the usual play outcomes but also allows for the generation of alternative scenarios, helping coaches to understand how different tactics might play out on the field.
The development of TacticAI was carried out in a multi-year research collaboration with Liverpool FC, one of the top soccer teams in the UK. This partnership has enabled DeepMind to fine-tune the AI tool by integrating detailed sports analytics and real-game data from Premier League matches. Specifically, the system was trained using data from over 7,000 corner kicks from the 2020 to 2021 Premier League seasons. This extensive dataset has equipped TacticAI with a robust predictive capability, highly rated by sports experts who have found its suggestions highly accurate and preferable to traditional tactics in 90% of cases.
While currently focused on soccer, the technology behind TacticAI has potential applications across various team sports where strategic planning based on player positioning and movement is crucial. The introduction of such AI tools in sports represents a shift towards more data-driven decision-making processes that can significantly enhance a team’s competitive edge.
This development by Google DeepMind not only showcases the potential of AI to transform traditional areas such as sports but also highlights the ongoing advancements in AI technology that are becoming increasingly relevant across different sectors of society.
