Changing the Game: Using AI Fairly and Responsibly in Sports

Approximate Total Time: 2–3 hours

Summary
In this unit, students explore how artificial intelligence is shaping the world of sports through five key lenses: fairness, safety, strategy, performance, and fan experience. Using real-world sports examples and hands-on activities, students investigate how AI systems collect data, identify patterns, and make decisions, such as determining whether a ball is in or out, predicting injury risk, or generating highlights for fans. Throughout the unit, students examine both the benefits and limitations of AI in sports, considering questions of accuracy, bias, privacy, and the role of human judgment. The unit emphasizes responsible and ethical AI use, helping students develop critical thinking skills as they reflect on where AI can enhance sports and where human decision-making should remain essential.

Lesson Flow

Lesson 1 — Fairness: AI and Officiating
Students test a rule-based system for officiating calls and compare AI decisions with human judgment.

Lesson 2 — Safety: AI and Injury Prevention
Students examine how AI uses data to predict injury risk and discuss benefits and privacy concerns.

Lesson 3 — Strategy: AI and Coaching Decisions
Students use data to make coaching choices and reflect on how AI can support strategy.

Lesson 4 — Performance: AI and Athlete Training
Students explore how AI analyzes performance data to personalize training.

Lesson 5 — Fan Experience: AI and Sports Media
Students create rules for identifying highlights and consider how AI shapes what fans see.