UK (Commonwealth Union)_ To stay aligned with the timeline set for achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) by 2030, the integration of artificial intelligence (AI) in sports stands as a promising avenue to expedite progress. This insight emerged from the 8th Commonwealth Debate on Sport and Sustainable Development recently held in London. The event also marked the International Day of Sport for Development and Peace, which is observed annually.
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During this year’s debate, experts deliberated on the theme, ‘Artificial Intelligence is the answer to accelerating the power of sport to help achieve the Sustainable Development Goals by 2030.’ Accordingly, the team that debated on the ethical use of AI emerged victorious. Both teams were granted certificates of participation for their productive contributions. Rohn Malhotra, Co-Founder and Managing Director of Sports TechX, representing the winning side, emphasized the dual nature of technology, noting that while AI is potent, it requires careful handling to avoid impeding SDG progress.
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Hosted by the Commonwealth Secretariat in collaboration with the Sports for Development Coalition, the hybrid debate organized at Marlborough House was live streamed to 56 member nations, drawing over 200 virtual participants and more than 100 in-person participants, including Commonwealth ambassadors, senior government officials, Commonwealth accredited organizations, high-profile athletes, academic scholars, sports advocates, and Commonwealth youth representatives.
Delivering his opening address, Commonwealth Deputy Secretary-General Dr. Arjoon Suddhoo underscored the unifying potential of sports, stating that sport is more than just a game. It is the universal language that has the potential to transcend boundaries, cultures, and backgrounds. He highlighted the significance of the debate in facilitating discussions on AI’s opportunities and threats in the sports sector, particularly its impact on health, education, and youth engagement. Dr. Suddhoo further aligned the debate’s theme with the Commonwealth’s broader agenda, referencing the Commonwealth Artificial Intelligence Consortium (CAIC) launched by the Secretary-General during the UN General Assembly, aimed at harnessing AI for the benefit of Commonwealth citizens, particularly the youth.
Despite recognizing sport as a catalyst for sustainable development and peace, the spirited debate questioned whether AI propels the world closer to or further from achieving the SDGs by 2030. Professor Alberto Carrio from the Barcelona School of Management and Pompeu Fabra University argued against the motion, referring to events where biased algorithms maintained inequalities in women’s sports and among players and clubs. In response, Preeti Shetty, Founder and CEO of Upshot, highlighted AI’s potential to expedite gender equality by identifying and addressing disparities, thereby fostering fairness and peace in sports.
Additionally, Ambassador Amina Mohammed, former Cabinet Secretary for Sports, Heritage, and Culture in Kenya, and the Commonwealth Secretary-General’s Special Envoy for Sport, Enterprise and Development, emphasized the potential of sports industry growth within Commonwealth countries and stressed the importance of facilitating intra-Commonwealth trade, particularly by supporting small and medium enterprises through platforms like the Intra-Commonwealth SME Association (ICSA).
Further, audience members, both onsite and online, contributed diverse perspectives, ranging from recognizing AI’s scalability for the sports industry to concerns about maintaining sports integrity amidst AI adoption without robust ethical and legal frameworks. Suggestions included leveraging data to bridge the gap between larger and smaller nations and developing intelligent tools for collecting, analyzing, and demonstrating sports’ positive social impact.
Furthermore, young attendees urged sports and technology companies to adopt AI for social development in education, health, and youth engagement. The Commonwealth’s focus on AI extends beyond debates, with plans to launch the AI Academy offering free online courses to empower Commonwealth citizens. The inaugural course, “AI for Youth,” developed in collaboration with Intel, aims to upskill the Commonwealth’s 2.5 billion citizens, emphasizing AI’s potential for positive impact across various sectors.
