Will AI Replace Umpires, Referees, and Other Sports Officials?

Officiate at sporting events, games, or competitions, to maintain standards of play and to ensure that game rules are observed.

Semi-structured task combining routine and non-routine responsibilities.

Inspect game sites for compliance with regulations or safety requirements.

Semi-structured cognitive task involving analysis, inspection, or monitoring.

Resolve claims of rule infractions or complaints by participants and assess any necessary penalties, according to regulations.

Complex problem-solving, strategic leadership, or high-empathy task requiring human judgment.

Signal participants or other officials to make them aware of infractions or to otherwise regulate play or competition.

Semi-structured task combining routine and non-routine responsibilities.

Teach and explain the rules and regulations governing a specific sport.

Complex problem-solving, strategic leadership, or high-empathy task requiring human judgment.

Inspect sporting equipment or examine participants to ensure compliance with event and safety regulations.

Semi-structured cognitive task involving analysis, inspection, or monitoring.

Report to regulating organizations regarding sporting activities, complaints made, and actions taken or needed, such as fines or other disciplinary actions.

Semi-structured task combining routine and non-routine responsibilities.

Confer with other sporting officials, coaches, players, and facility managers to provide information, coordinate activities, and discuss problems.

Complex problem-solving, strategic leadership, or high-empathy task requiring human judgment.

Judge performances in sporting competitions to award points, impose scoring penalties, and determine results.

Complex problem-solving, strategic leadership, or high-empathy task requiring human judgment.

Verify scoring calculations before competition winners are announced.

Semi-structured task combining routine and non-routine responsibilities.

Start races and competitions.

Semi-structured task combining routine and non-routine responsibilities.

Compile scores and other athletic records.

Routine cognitive or manual task with high vulnerability to automation.

Verify credentials of participants in sporting events, and make other qualifying determinations, such as starting order or handicap number.

Semi-structured task combining routine and non-routine responsibilities.

Keep track of event times, including race times and elapsed time during game segments, starting or stopping play when necessary.

Semi-structured task combining routine and non-routine responsibilities.

Direct participants to assigned areas, such as starting blocks or penalty areas.

Complex problem-solving, strategic leadership, or high-empathy task requiring human judgment.

Research and study players and teams to anticipate issues that might arise in future engagements.

Semi-structured task combining routine and non-routine responsibilities.