Artificial Intelligence Enhances World Cup Fan Experience
*By Jacqueline Corba*
Fox Sports is teaming up with IBM to offer soccer fans a unique experience during this year's World Cup.
The tech giant's artificial intelligence system Watson is powering a cognitive-based platform that lets fans make their own customized highlight videos throughout the tournament.
"It's about unlocking that fan experience wherever folks are in the United States," Robert Schwartz, Global Leader of Strategy and Design at IBM iX, the company's digital ad agency, told Cheddar's Peter Gorenstein at the Cannes Lions festival. "It is a huge opportunity to tap into that fan passion."
Dubbed the FIFA World Cup ["highlight machine,"](https://www-935.ibm.com/services/ibmix/case-studies/fox-sports.html) the platform allows fans to browse FIFA's archive of current and past matches. IBM's Watson compiles and analyzes the footage based on the user's commands. The software also encourages users to share their clips on social media.
Schwartz says IBM iX is looking to roll out this platform for fans of other professional sporting events, including this summer's U.S. Open tennis tournament.
For the full interview, [click here](https://cheddar.com/videos/world-cup-powered-by-artificial-intelligence).
In a meticulously choreographed ceremony on Tuesday, the flame for this summer’s Paris Olympics will be lit at the birthplace of the ancient Olympic Games in southern Greece.
Kansas City's Patrick Mahomes and Miami's Tyreek Hill are among the NFL players who have shown interest in playing for an American flag football team since the sport was added to the 2028 Summer Games in Los Angeles.
Prized free-agent pitcher Yoshinobu Yamamoto and the Los Angeles Dodgers have agreed to a $325 million, 12-year contract, according to multiple reports. Yamamoto is set to join Japanese countryman Shohei Ohtani.