AI could take a lot of guesswork out of umping. The speeds and tensions involved make that job a challenge for any human. As long as no one monkeys with calibration from start to end of game, the objectivity would be much better. Plus, no salary or pensions for umps, no danger from a bouncing harball to groin or goiter.
AI really is going to take a lot of jobs.
More and more, I would like AI to be used in court proceedings. Load in the relevant laws, load in the evidence and testimony. Let the AI decide if someone is innocent or guilty. Then, as a second step, have a human judge weigh in and (if necessary) state that the AI is badly programmed and is showing bias, and explain why the AI decision might be wrong.
It’s my opinion that neither judges nor juries these days can be reliably impartial.
A Major League Baseball umpire isn’t going to win an argument against ABS. And I don’t think Judge Boasberg would win an argument against a good AI system.
I believe that consistency is as important as objectivity with calling balls and strikes.
AI could take a lot of guesswork out of umping. The speeds and tensions involved make that job a challenge for any human. As long as no one monkeys with calibration from start to end of game, the objectivity would be much better. Plus, no salary or pensions for umps, no danger from a bouncing harball to groin or goiter.
The ABS system does not use AI. It uses a set of parameters directly programed into it. AI implies it would learn as it goes along. The ABS system thankfully does not do that.
AI should not be used for baseball or legal proceedings. Or much else for that metter.