AI League: Saudi Arabia Revolutionizes Sports with Tech-based Competition
Saudi Arabia has made a great stride in transforming the sports sector, by launching the first-of-its-kind AI League that harnesses AI and cutting-edge technologies.
The Saudi Company for Artificial Intelligence (SCAI) on Monday announced the launching of the AI League, a revolutionary competition offering a lucrative prize pool of SAR 1mn, in a move that reinforces the Kingdom’s commitment to deploying advanced technologies and bolstering AI role in sports, according to the Saudi Press Agency (SPA).
SCAI AI League
In a press release, SCAI said that the AI League aims to enhance innovation, foster sports talent, and strengthen Saudi Arabia’s global competitiveness in sports. Furthermore, the championship will play active role in enhancing data-driven decision-making, optimizing operational efficiency, delivering an exceptional sports experience, and building a sustainable sports ecosystem.
The virtual sports-tech challenge, sponsored by the Saudi Ministry of Sport, the Saudi Authority for Data and AI (SDAIA), and other entities, aims to showcase AI’s massive potential in transforming the sports landscape and improving performance. It also aims to support Saudi Arabia’s preparations for hosting the FIFA World Cup 2034.
Key Objectives
The AI League focuses on leveraging AI technologies in the sports sector to foster talents to develop innovative solutions that reshape the sports landscape in Saudi Arabia. It also aims to engage AI and sports experts in an interactive environment to encourage sports-tech advancements.
Moreover, the AI League aims to empower tech professionals to capitalize on AI technologies to develop sports and shape the future of the industry in Saudi Arabia.
جاء الوقت اللي تغيّر فيه قوانين اللعبة! 🥅
مستعد تطور مستقبل الرياضة بشغفك وحماسك؟💻🏀
كن جزءًا من #دوري_الذكاء_الاصطناعي وسجل الآن: https://t.co/TUsQBu924B @mosgovsa @sdaia @surj_sports @TuwaiqAcademy @CODE_MCIT @McitGovSa https://t.co/NBPVjMlweH #سكاي#الإثراء_عبر_الذكاء pic.twitter.com/FzH3vvZUGs— SCAI | سكاي (@SCAI_AI) February 10, 2025
On this occasion, the Commercial Chief Officer at SCAI, Mubarak Al-Wadaani, said: “With the AI League, SCAI is fostering a dynamic environment where innovation thrives, leveraging cutting-edge artificial intelligence technologies to propel the sports sector forward.”
AI League Main Tracks
The AI League features four key tracks. The Game Strategy Optimization involves AI-driven tools for in-game and pre-game analysis, in addition to AI solutions to improve game strategies.
The second track is the Smart Stadiums and Fan Experience. It focuses on innovative ticket sales and pricing solutions and harnessing innovative technologies to improve fan engagement and satisfaction.
Meanwhile, the AI League’s third track, Scouting Youth and Professional Talents, which uses AI to scout and evaluate the performance of youth and professional talents, forecast the market value of promising talents, and assess the player’s fitness for the team.
The fourth track is the Sports Broadcasting and Media, which harnesses generative AI to produce sports content and enrich it with creativity and efficiency, utilizes AI solutions to boost interaction and engagement with viewers, and enhance accessibility to people with special needs.
Large Prize Pool
The AI League offers lucrative prizes to celebrate creativity and excellence, amounting to SAR 1mn. The prizes are classified into three award categories: Best Solutions for the 2034 World Cup; Best Sustainable Solution; and Best Use of AI.
The registration for the sports-tech competition is free and open until February 22, 2025. Accepted participants will be announced on February 23-24. The AI League competition will kick off on February 26. Participants can participate remotely, with teams of a minimum of two members and a maximum of four members.
Saudi Arabia’s AI Advancements
The AI League aligns with SCAI efforts to accelerate development in the sports sector and position Saudi Arabia as a global hub for advanced technologies. It also supports SCAI’s efforts to provide AI-driven solutions that positively impact various sectors.
In the light of this, Al-Wadaani said: “This initiative aligns with Vision 2030’s goal of reshaping the global sports landscape through innovation and excellence. In collaboration with the Ministry of Sport and SDAIA, we invite talented developers, startups, and entrepreneurs to join the AI League and showcase their expertise to help shape the future of sports.”
