Applied AI in Sport Management: Insights from the February NASSM Conversation
In early March, the NASSM Conversations Committee hosted a conversation about using AI in sport management. The central question addressed during the conversation was: “How can applied AI transform sport management?” The February initiative featured Dr. Michael Naraine from Brock University and Dr. Yizhou Qian from Louisiana State University. Moderated by Dr. Kristen Morrison, the session delved into both the existential questions and practical applications of AI in sport management.
Below us a summary of the conversation, including discussions about the applications of AI in research, teaching, and service, and the challenges of using AI. Additionally, a brief overview of some of the available tools is also provided.
For a complete view of the conversation, the video from the session will be posted at the bottom of the blog at some point in the near future.
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Understanding AI in Sport Management
Dr. Naraine began by outlining the broad scope of AI, emphasizing its various branches such as machine learning, natural language processing (NLP), speech recognition, and vision AI. He highlighted the importance of understanding these different facets to fully grasp AI's potential in sport management.
Key Applications of AI
The panelists discussed several practical applications of AI in sport management, categorized into research, teaching, and service:
Research:
Enhancing Research Quality: AI can assist in refining research questions, aligning methods, and providing high-level feedback on manuscripts.
Operationalizing AI: Tools like ChatGPT can help analyze manuscripts, offering pros and cons and identifying potential flaws
Teaching:
Classroom Integration: Dr. Naraine shared his experience of using ChatGPT in lectures to demonstrate its capabilities and limitations. This approach helps students understand the tool's potential while recognizing its boundaries.
Creating Rubrics: AI can aid in developing detailed and structured rubrics that align with learning objectives, enhancing clarity and consistency in assessments.
Service:
Administrative Efficiency: AI can streamline administrative tasks, such as summarizing documents and extracting key points, allowing educators to focus on more critical responsibilities.
Challenges and Ethical Considerations
Dr. Qian emphasized the importance of human oversight in AI applications, noting that AI models are trained on vast datasets that may contain inherent biases. He demonstrated how implicit biases can influence AI outputs and stressed the need for continuous human evaluation to ensure fairness and accuracy.
Advanced AI Tools
Dr. Qian introduced several advanced AI tools that can significantly enhance workflow in sport management:
Notebook LM: This tool allows users to upload documents and generate summaries, FAQs, and timelines, making it easier to manage and analyze large volumes of information.
Google AI Studio: A versatile platform for handling text, images, videos, and audio, useful for tasks like transcribing interviews and organizing data.
Llama: A local platform for running AI models, ensuring data privacy and security while providing powerful analytical capabilities.
Balancing AI with Human Expertise
The panelists agreed that while AI can supercharge certain tasks, the human element remains crucial. Educators and researchers must ensure that AI is used to complement, not replace, human judgment and creativity. Reflective assignments and oral presentations can help verify students' understanding and ensure they are not overly reliant on AI-generated content.
Conclusion
The discussion underscored the transformative potential of AI in sport management, from enhancing research quality to improving teaching methods and streamlining administrative tasks. However, maintaining human oversight and addressing ethical considerations cannot be overstated. As AI continues to evolve, sport management professionals must stay informed and adaptable, leveraging these tools to drive innovation and inclusivity.
How are you integrating AI into your sport management practices? Share your experiences and insights in the comments below!