Sports Broadcasting "In the Age of AI

 

Blog #4 – Sports Broadcasting - “In the Age of AI: Part 3 – The Future of Work”

If the expert predictions featured in the Frontline documentary, “In the Age of AI,” are any indication, approximately 50% of all jobs will be threatened by AI in the near future. The outlook is grim, as experts predict that there will never again be a thriving middle class in this country. Jobs in the automotive industry have been largely displaced by automation. College students must embrace an ever-changing world and acknowledge that constant evolution is necessary for survival. The dreams that brought me to HPU are still alive today, and I am excited to learn how the combination of sports broadcasting and AI will continue to change the face of entertainment.

There is no escaping the AI revolution. My major, Sports Media, is no exception. According to the Sports Business Journal, AI has already improved backend operations. Journalists who once needed to spend hours a day researching statistics and highlights from the night before can now do so with AI in minutes. AI does not make the same mistakes as humans because it follows predefined patterns that eliminate errors in spelling or statistics before it is deployed for millions to see. The PGA Tour already uses AI in real-time broadcasts, providing supporting analytics on every player's performance. AI can write accurate scripts and edit highlight videos instantly. These operational efficiencies reduce costs, which yields more revenue for the networks. According to Medium, the future of broadcasting is content tailored to individual fans, following the model of streaming services that make recommendations based on viewer preferences. According to Forbes, beginning in 2025, the NFL and teams such as the New England Patriots and the San Francisco 49ers have partnered with NWN and NetApp to personalize the fan experience at stadiums. In the near future, fans will be able to choose their preferred camera angle and follow what is happening on the field during commercial breaks.

My dream of becoming a sports broadcaster began after watching Vince Scully call an LA Dodgers game. The stories he told and the way he brought the game to life were a gift that no AI can replicate. Even as the world changes, people still want that authentic human connection.  Snoop Dogg provided color commentary during the second half at a recent LA Clippers-Golden State Warriors game. His level of knowledge and preparation was obvious, but it was his spontaneity and style that impressed the audience most.

 

 

 

 

 

Online Invasion of Privacy

 Blog #3 Ted Talks – Online Invasion of Privacy 

The most chilling example of invasion of privacy was detailed in Darieth Chisolm's TED Talk. The thought of someone taking intimate photos of her while she was sleeping, then posting them online without her knowledge, let alone her consent, is horrifying. To add insult to injury, finding out that the photos taken are the legal property of the person trying to hurt and humiliate her is hard to comprehend. According to the Drexel University Law Review, under the Copyright Act of 1976, photographers, paparazzi, or whoever takes the pictures own the photographs, and another party cannot use the material without their permission. A law enacted in 1976, in a world without social media, requires updating to protect individual interests in the internet era. What happened to Chisolm could happen to anyone, and the worst thing about this is finding out that the victim has very little protection under the law.

It is no secret that the information people voluntarily share online will be publicly available indefinitely. Juan Enriquez gave a thought-provoking TED Talk comparing the information people post about themselves online to “electronic tattoos”. Now, from the time a baby comes into the world, their photos are out there online, willingly shared by their parents with unknown numbers of people. According to mindowl.org, social media feeds the need for instant gratification through likes and comments by satisfying short-term impulses. Enriquez offered insightful comparisons to Greek mythology, advising that information someone shares today will remain accessible to all, including future romantic partners and employers. Perhaps short-sightedness is a major human behavioral flaw because people already know that everything posted is permanent, yet choose to do it anyway. 

According to a recent USA Today article, Facebook, which changed its name to Meta in 2021, has been fined billions of dollars by the federal government over the years for privacy violations and for sharing members' data with third-party companies. The empire has been built using surveillance capitalism as a business model. Billions of users are fully aware that they live their lives online. They agree to the terms and, for the most part, do not want it to change. Ethical implications aside, Mark Zuckerberg should not be blamed for successfully tapping into a need and becoming one of the richest and most influential people on the planet as a result. If society wants to continue using social media despite the risks to personal privacy, then government involvement is unnecessary. I would venture to guess that, even after the situation Chislom endured, she has not completely stopped using social media. Closing Pandora’s Box is not possible when even my grandmother uses social media daily.