This year's Wimbledon Championships will introduce a new element to its coverage: AI-powered commentary and captions. Developed by IBM, the technology utilizes the watsonx AI platform, trained on the specific language of tennis and leveraging player statistics like the power index, which analyzes performance. This innovative feature will initially provide captions for online highlight reels, with the potential for live AI commentary in the future.

The Wimbledon Championships logo is seen at center court during previews for the tournament at the All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club in London on June 21, 2007. (Ryan Pierse/Getty Images)

IBM emphasizes that AI is intended to enhance, not replace, human commentators. The unique perspective and experience of individuals like John McEnroe remain invaluable. The primary focus is on providing commentary for matches that currently lack human coverage, such as seniors, juniors, and wheelchair events.

John McEnroe, left, and Chris Fowler look on during the US Open 2022 at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center in New York City on Sept. 9, 2022. (Jean Catuffe/GC Images)

While the current AI commentary isn't based on any specific individual's style, the possibility of training the AI to emulate particular voices and languages exists. The All England Club's technology director clarifies that there are no plans to replace human umpires, though replacing line judges in the future, as the men's ATP tour plans to do by 2025, remains a possibility.

A linesman is seen on Day 1 of the Libema Open Grass Court Championships at the Autotron in Hertogenbosch, Netherlands, on June 12, 2023. (Rene Nijhuis/BSR Agency/Getty Images)

The use of AI-generated commentary is gaining traction across various sectors, from sports to news broadcasting. The European Broadcasting Union is exploring the use of cloned commentator voices, while platforms like Veritone, which acquired startup VocaliD, are exploring the potential to recreate iconic voices like Walter Cronkite's.