In the spirit of our June 2023 feature (on page 26) that discusses the impact of artificial intelligence on athletic facility design, we decided for this edition of Tech Roundup to see how AI stacked up as a journalist. We asked ChatGPT-4 to produce an 800-word piece, in the style of Athletic Business magazine’s Tech Roundup, about AI-powered products as they might relate directly to the endeavors of our audience. For starters, the chatbot didn’t hit word count, there were numerous factual errors (if blatant fictions), and the writing style leaves a lot to be desired.
While we’re not sure you’ll find much of real value in the information offered herein, we felt that June’s Tech Roundup was a safe and fitting space to perhaps persuade our readers that we flesh-and-blood editors over here at AB still provide you with valuable insights that HAL 9000 cannot. Below you’ll find verbatim (annotated by a human editor) ChatGPT-4’s response to our prompt:
Produce an 800-word piece in the style of Athletic Business magazine’s Tech Roundup about AI-powered products that are impacting the athletics, fitness and recreation industries.
AI technology is making a significant impact on the athletics, fitness, and recreation industries. From improving athletic performance to enhancing the customer experience, AI products are transforming the way we approach these industries. In this Tech Roundup, we’ll explore some of the most innovative [We’re not sure who is making the claim “most innovative” here.] AI products that are making waves in these industries.
Athletic performance
AI technology is helping athletes to reach their peak performance levels by providing personalized training and real-time feedback. One such product is the Pivot app [After extensive Googling, we were unable to actually find a “Pivot app” that matches this description.], developed by Pivot Sport, which uses AI algorithms to analyze an athlete’s movements and provide personalized training plans. The app also offers real-time feedback to help athletes improve their technique and reduce the risk of injury.
Another AI product [The repetitive use of “Another AI product” to begin multiple paragraphs strikes us as middle-school-level writing.] that’s making a significant impact on athletic performance is the Smart Court [SmartCourt], developed by PlaySight. This system uses AI to analyze and track player movements and provides detailed feedback to players and coaches. The Smart Court is used by professional tennis players and coaches to improve their game and track their progress over time. [ChatGPT-4 has reached the conclusion that SmartCourt is a tennis-centric offering possibly based on a few images on the PlaySight website of tennis players. However, the SmartCourt platform is actually aimed at all sports, from baseball to football to tennis.]
Fitness tracking
Fitness tracking has become an essential part of many people’s lives, and AI technology is making these tools more accurate and personalized. One such product is the Halo Band, developed by Amazon. [We prompted ChatGPT-4 for this information on May 7, but Amazon actually scrapped its Halo fitness tracking device April 23.] This fitness tracker uses AI to analyze users’ activity, sleep, and body composition, providing personalized recommendations to improve their health.
Another AI product [Again!] that’s changing the fitness tracking game is the CAROL bike. This stationary bike uses AI to provide personalized high-intensity interval training (HIIT) workouts that are tailored to users’ fitness levels. The bike also uses AI to adjust the resistance automatically, ensuring that users are always challenged but never overworked. [A rather simplistic explanation of CAROL’s offerings, but relatively accurate.]
Customer experience
AI is also transforming the customer experience in the fitness and recreation industries. One such product is the AI-powered gym management software, developed by Virtuagym. This software uses AI to provide personalized recommendations to gym members, such as workout plans and nutrition advice. The software also provides real-time feedback to gym managers, helping them to optimize their facilities and improve the overall customer experience. [Again, a rather simplistic description of what Virtuagym does.]
Another AI product [Yet again!] that’s enhancing the customer experience is the InnoWave fitness kiosk. [A number of Google searches turned up nothing on this company or product.] This kiosk uses AI to provide personalized workout plans to users, as well as real-time feedback on their form and technique. The kiosk also offers a range of interactive features, such as virtual coaching and fitness challenges, to keep users engaged and motivated.
Virtual reality
Virtual reality (VR) is another area where AI is making an impact on the athletics, fitness, and recreation industries. One such product is the Hydrow rowing machine, which uses VR to provide an immersive rowing experience. The machine features a large screen that displays realistic scenes of waterways around the world, providing users with a unique and engaging workout. [Some VR products most definitely leverage AI, but Hydrow does not appear to be a true (headset-powered) VR experience, nor could we find any mention of AI on the manufacturer’s website.]
Another VR product [Argh!] that’s changing the game is the BoxVR fitness game. This game uses AI to provide personalized workouts based on users’ fitness levels and preferences. The game features a range of music tracks and workout routines that are designed to keep users motivated and engaged. [BoxVR is a game for Meta’s Oculus Rift headset and is more consumer-facing technology that wouldn’t typically be featured in an Athletic Business Tech Roundup column.]
In conclusion, AI technology is revolutionizing the athletics, fitness, and recreation industries. [Rarely would we ever end an article with “ In conclusion.”] From improving athletic performance to enhancing the customer experience, these innovative products are transforming the way we approach these industries. As AI continues to advance, we can expect to see even more groundbreaking products that will further enhance our fitness and recreational activities.
[In conclusion (psych!), we hope this experiment has enhanced your confidence in AB editorial. Tech Roundup will return in its normally authored form next month.]
