AI technology has made a significant impact in the world of professional sports, with Seattle Reign FC’s head coach, Laura Harvey, incorporating ChatGPT into her coaching strategy. In a recent interview on the Soccerish Podcast, Harvey discussed how she utilized OpenAI’s chatbot to seek insights about her team and explore new tactics.
Initially, Harvey posed broad questions to the AI, such as defining Seattle Reign’s identity, but found the responses lacking. However, when she asked about the best formation to beat NWSL teams, ChatGPT provided detailed suggestions, including a defensive “back-five” formation for specific opponents.
Although unfamiliar with this strategy, Harvey and her staff decided to experiment with it, leading to a successful outcome in a game against a formidable opponent. Since then, the team has integrated the formation as a tactical option, resulting in improved performance and a higher ranking in the NWSL standings.
This collaboration between human expertise and AI technology showcases the potential of using artificial intelligence as a strategic advisor in professional sports. Professionals across various industries are increasingly turning to tools like ChatGPT for decision support, enhancing productivity and quality of decision-making.
OpenAI’s research highlights the shift towards using ChatGPT as an advisor rather than solely for task completion, emphasizing its role in improving worker output and decision-making processes in knowledge-intensive fields.