So yes, AI can make certain jobs in professional sports obsolete, even though athletes are safe (for now).
Starting in 2025, the All England Lawn Tennis Club (AELTC) will implement Electronic Line Calling (ELC), an AI-based system that tracks the ball’s movement using 12 strategically placed cameras on all 18 courts.
This move replaces around 300 line judges who have been responsible for making in/out calls.
The technology, an evolution of Hawk-Eye, has already been used in other major tennis tournaments such as the US Open and Australian Open. Wimbledon, a symbol of tradition, saw that the grass (pun intended) is more advanced on the other side and is jumping on the bandwagon of AI-powered sports officiating.
ELC will not only cover line calls but will also be monitored by a Video Assistant Referee (VAR)—like in top tier football—to communicate decisions to the chair umpire, whose job is safe for now.
If umpires were to also be replaced, who’s Nick Kyrgios going to complain to?