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ARTIERI & ROHMER (Law Offices): Artificial Intelligence in

Sports - Opportunities, Legal, and Ethical Challenges

by Arthur Rohmer
Artificial intelligence (AI) is transforming the sports industry, offering significant improvements
in athlete performance, management, and fan experience. Some studies estimate that the
global AI market in sports could reach nearly $30 billion by 2030. However, this technological
transformation raises complex legal issues, particularly regarding the protection of personal
data and privacy.

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A variety of promising use cases... allowing for increasingly accurate predictions data ownership. Many athletes have expressed
AI offers numerous applications in the of match outcomes. their desire to better control the use of their
sports field. Among the main uses are the personal information, especially when it is
recruitment and integration of athletes within ...which raise significant legal and ethical exploited for commercial purposes. In football,
clubs. By using machine learning algorithms, challenges this has led organizations such as FIFPRO to
clubs can analyze athletes' skills and compare While AI offers many opportunities, it also establish a Player Data Rights Charter, aimed
them according to various performance raises important legal and ethical challenges, at giving players greater control over the use of
criteria. particularly in terms of data protection, their personal information.
In addition, AI plays a crucial role in analyzing transparency, and accountability. Finally, the use of AI technologies for surveillance
and managing sports performance. Wearable One of the main issues concerns the protection and security at sporting events has sparked
devices collect real-time data, such as heart of personal data. AI devices capture and analyze significant debates, notably during the 2024
rate, movements, and effort intensity. These an increasing amount of sensitive data, such Paris Olympics. While these technologies help
data are analyzed by algorithms that help as biometric information like heart rate, athlete enhance stadium security, they raise concerns
optimize training programs and prevent movements, or physical abilities. about privacy. It is therefore essential that event
injuries. In the European Union, the General Data organizers adopt strict cybersecurity policies to
AI is also used to improve game strategy. Protection Regulation (GDPR) imposes a strict protect spectators' personal data and prevent
Through predictive models, teams can analyze framework on the collection and use of this any misuse of these technologies.
match data, player and opponent statistics. information. In Monaco, similar principles are
Another area where AI is proving its worth applied through Law No. 1.165 of December 23, Beyond performance and technology, the
is in the security of sports infrastructure. 1993, on the protection of personal information. introduction of AI in sports raises questions
AI-assisted surveillance systems can detect These regulations ensure that athletes' personal about balancing innovation and respect for the
suspicious or potentially dangerous behavior, data are only used within a predefined framework. fundamental principles of the field. AI usage must
thereby improving the safety of spectators When it comes to sensitive data (such as medical be regulated in a way that ensures this technology
and staff. or biometric information), their use is subject to enhances the sports experience without
Finally, in the field of sports betting, AI helps explicit consent. compromising the human and competitive
process and analyze vast volumes of data, The use of AI also raises questions regarding values that define it.

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