Interdisciplinary approaches

Basketball spirit through cutting-edge technology: What did the NBA Tech Summit deliver?

On Valentine’s Day in San Francisco, the NBA Tech Summit took place ahead of the NBA All-Star weekend, showcasing the latest trends in sports, media, and technology. With the help of NVIDIA CEO Jensen Huang and legendary Golden State Warriors coach Steve Kerr, the audience was introduced to the evolution of event broadcasting, companies set to make significant investments in the coming years, and the future of basketball as a sport.

The panels also included renowned basketball experts, media figures, and former NBA players. A common consensus emerged: robotics and AI will reshape the sport as we know and significantly help athletes achieve far better results than ever before.

However, this is not exactly a novelty, as many innovations were presented ahead of the Paris Olympics, where certain programmes helped analysts and audiences follow their favourite events in greater detail.

The future of the NBA and the role of fans during matches

The same idea applies to the NBA, particularly with the integration of augmented reality (AR) and a feature called ‘Tabletop’, which allows the display of a virtual court with digital avatars tracking player movements in real time.

A feature like this one generated the most interest from the audience, as it enables viewers to watch matches from various angles, analyse performances in real-time, access interactive player data, and simulate alternative outcomes—essentially exploring how the game would have unfolded if different decisions had been made on the court.

An important aspect of these innovations is that fans have the opportunity to vote for competition participants, ask real-time questions, and take part in virtual events designed to keep them engaged during and after match broadcasts.

AI plays a crucial role in these systems, primarily by analysing strategies and performances, allowing coaches and players to make better-informed decisions in key moments of the game.

Player health as a priority

With a packed schedule of matches, additional tournaments, and extensive travel, professional basketball players face daily physical challenges. To help preserve their health, new technologies aim to minimise potential injuries.

Wearable health-tracking sensors embedded in equipment to collect data on physical parameters were introduced at the NBA Summit. This technology provides medical teams with real-time insights into players’ conditions, helping prevent potential injuries.

Draymond Green with AI Robot
Basketball spirit through cutting-edge technology: What did the NBA Tech Summit deliver? 3

Biometric sensors, motion-analysis accelerometers, injury-prevention algorithms, dehydration and fatigue tracking, and shoe sensors for load analysis are just some of the innovations in this field.

Ultra cameras, ultra broadcasts, ultra experience

For fans of high-resolution and interactive matches, the latest technological advancements offer new viewing experiences. While still in the final development stages, fans can already enjoy Ultra HD 8K and 360-degree cameras, along with the highly anticipated ‘player cam’ perspective, which allows for close-up tracking of individual players.

It is also possible to independently control the camera during matches, offering a complete view of the court and arena from every possible angle. Additionally, matches can be broadcast as holograms, providing a new dimension in 3D space on specialised platforms.

The integration of 5G technology ensures faster and more stable transmissions, enabling high-resolution streaming without delays.

Fewer mistakes, less stress

Refereeing mistakes have always been part of the sport, influencing match outcomes and shaping the history of one of the world’s most popular games. In response, the NBA has sought to minimise errors through Hawk-Eye technology for ball and boundary tracking.

A multi-camera system monitors the ball to determine whether it has crossed the line, touched the boundary, or shot on time. AI also analyses player contact in real time, suggesting potential fouls for referees to review.

Beyond these features, the NBA now operates a centralised Replay Centre, offering detailed analysis of controversial situations where AI plays a crucial role in providing recommendations for quicker decision-making. Additional innovations include hoop sensors, audio analysis for simulating unsportsmanlike fouls, and more.

Environmental sustainability and awareness

As an organisation reliant on cutting-edge technology, the NBA is also focused on environmental awareness, which is increasingly becoming a key aspect of the league. Modern arenas utilise solar energy, energy-efficient lighting, and water recycling systems, reducing electricity consumption and waste.

Digital tickets and contactless payments contribute to sustainability efforts, particularly through apps that enable quicker and more eco-friendly entry to arenas and access to various services.

Partnerships with environmental organisations are a crucial part of the NBA’s sustainability initiatives, with collaborations including the Green Sports Alliance and the NRDC. These efforts aim to reduce the environmental impact of events while enhancing the fan experience.

For basketball fans (and followers of other sports adopting similar advancements), the most important takeaway is that the fundamental rules and essence of the game will remain unchanged. Despite the inevitable technological progress, the core spirit of basketball, established in Springfield in 1891, will continue to be preserved.

Silent album released to challenge UK AI copyright reforms

More than 1,000 musicians have joined forces to release a silent album as part of a protest against the UK government’s proposed changes to copyright laws. The changes would allow AI companies to use artists’ work to train models without needing permission, a move critics argue would undermine creators’ rights. The silent album, titled ‘Is This What We Want?’, features empty studios and performance spaces, symbolising the potential loss of control over their work.

The changes have sparked outrage from high-profile artists such as Kate Bush, who warned that this could lead to the exploitation of musicians by tech companies. The protest album, which includes contributions from other major artists like Ed Sheeran and Dua Lipa, aims to highlight the negative impact of such reforms on the livelihoods of creators.

The UK government argues that these changes will help boost the AI and creative industries, allowing them to reach their full potential. However, the controversy over copyright law is growing, with many in the music industry urging a rethink before any new regulations are finalised.

For more information on these topics, visit diplomacy.edu.

Trump orders review of tariffs over digital service taxes

US President Donald Trump has directed his trade officials to revive investigations into digital service taxes imposed by foreign countries on American tech giants.

The move could lead to new tariffs on imports from nations like France, Canada, and India, which have introduced taxes targeting major firms such as Google, Meta, Apple, and Amazon. Trump argues that these levies unfairly exploit US companies and has vowed to protect America’s tax base from foreign appropriation.

The renewed probe follows previous investigations during Trump’s first term, where the US Trade Representative found that several countries discriminated against American firms, paving the way for potential retaliatory tariffs.

While the Biden administration initially imposed 25% tariffs on goods from countries with digital taxes, these duties were suspended to allow for global tax negotiations. However, with talks stalling and the US rejecting the 15% global minimum tax, Trump has now abandoned the deal entirely.

The new directive also calls for scrutiny of the Digital Markets Act and Digital Services Act imposed by the European Union, assessing whether they encourage censorship or undermine free speech for US companies.

As tensions grow, the US could impose fresh tariffs on billions of dollars worth of foreign imports. Trump has not yet revealed the specific tariff rates or the value of goods that may be targeted in this latest round of trade actions.

For more information on these topics, visit diplomacy.edu.

Digital assistant bridges the counsellor gap

A new digital wellbeing companion, known as Sonny, is now being introduced in several schools across nine districts. Developed by Sonar Mental Health, this tool combines artificial intelligence with human oversight to provide initial mental health support to students.

Students can send their queries via text, with the AI suggesting responses that are ultimately reviewed by a dedicated team of professionals experienced in psychology, social work, and crisis intervention. This approach comes at a time when many schools are facing a severe shortage of qualified counsellours, with recent data revealing that 17 per cent of high schools lack a dedicated counsellour.

CEO Drew Bavir has emphasised that Sonny is not meant to replace professional therapy. Instead, it acts as a first point of contact, with Sonar staff ready to work alongside schools and parents to secure access to further specialist support when needed. This initiative represents a significant step forward in addressing the growing mental health challenges within schools.

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AI helps decode emotions in seven animal species

A groundbreaking study from the University of Copenhagen has demonstrated that AI can decode emotions in animals. By training a machine-learning model to analyse the vocal patterns of seven ungulate species, including cows, pigs, and wild boars, the research achieved an impressive accuracy rate of 89.49%. This study, the first of its kind to cross species, marks a significant step forward in understanding animal emotions.

The AI model identified key acoustic indicators of emotional states, such as duration, frequency, and amplitude of vocalisations, revealing that emotional expressions are evolutionarily conserved across species. This discovery could revolutionise animal welfare, enabling real-time monitoring of animals’ emotional well-being, particularly in livestock management, veterinary care, and conservation efforts.

The implications for animal welfare are profound. Early detection of stress or discomfort could lead to timely interventions, improving animals’ lives. Additionally, promoting positive emotions could enhance overall welfare. The researchers have made their emotional call database publicly available to support further studies and encourage more AI-driven research in animal welfare and conservation.

This study not only sheds new light on animal emotions but also offers insights into the evolutionary roots of human language, opening up exciting possibilities for future scientific exploration and better understanding of animal behaviour.

For more information on these topics, visit diplomacy.edu.

Japanese biohybrid hand breakthrough

Researchers from the University of Tokyo and Waseda University have developed the world’s largest biohybrid robot hand, which utilises cultivated human muscle tissue to perform complex movements. The 18-centimetre hand, complete with five individually moving fingers, incorporates a novel “sushi roll” design that bundles multiple thin muscle tissue strings to ensure sufficient nutrient supply and strength. Gold electrodes are employed to stimulate the tissues, translating straight muscle contractions into the rotational motion of the joints.

This innovative Japanese device is capable of delicate tasks such as grasping small objects, although its muscle tissues exhibit a decrease in force after approximately ten minutes of continuous action, recovering fully after an hour of rest. Such a breakthrough overcomes the limitations of earlier biohybrid devices, which were restricted to single-joint movements and were much smaller due to nutrient diffusion challenges in thicker muscle constructs.

Professor Shoji Takeuchi, specialising in mechanical engineering, believes that this research paves the way for the development of humanlike robots and precision prosthetic hands. The team’s findings, published in Science Robotics, mark a significant advance in the fusion of biological elements with mechanical systems, promising a future where robotics more closely mimic the capabilities of the human body.

For more information on these topics, visit diplomacy.edu. 

New STLA AutoDrive enables hands-free urban commuting

Stellantis has unveiled its first in-house-developed automated driving system, STLA AutoDrive, designed to assist urban commuters with hands-free and eyes-off driving. The system can manage speed, steering and braking while adapting to traffic flow.

The new technology allows drivers to momentarily shift focus from the road at speeds of up to 60 kilometres per hour.

Stellantis confirmed that future advancements could enable operation at speeds reaching 95 kilometres per hour.

Deployment of STLA AutoDrive will be determined by market demand, with integration planned across Stellantis’ vehicle brands. The system represents a step forward in the company’s push for enhanced driving automation.

For more information on these topics, visit diplomacy.edu.

Figure shifts focus to home robotics with new Helix AI

Figure has introduced Helix, a new Vision-Language-Action (VLA) model designed to enhance the capabilities of humanoid robots in complex environments like homes.

The announcement follows the company’s decision to end its collaboration with OpenAI and highlights its growing focus on creating robots that can respond to natural language prompts and adapt to dynamic household settings.

Helix integrates visual data and language commands, enabling robots to understand tasks and execute them in real time. It demonstrates advanced object generalisation, allowing robots to handle thousands of unfamiliar household items simply through verbal instructions.

Designed to control multiple robots simultaneously, Helix can coordinate complex tasks, such as transferring items between robots and organising objects within a home.

While home robotics presents unique challenges due to unpredictable layouts and varying environments, Figure aims to overcome these hurdles through Helix’s adaptive learning capabilities.

By moving away from time-consuming manual programming, the company is working towards making humanoid robots more accessible and practical for domestic use. Although the project remains in its early stages, the Helix model represents a significant step towards bridging the gap between industrial robotics and home applications.

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Sanas raises millions to transform call centre communication

AI start-up Sanas has raised $65 million in a new funding round, valuing the company at over $500 million. The firm, founded in 2020, uses artificial intelligence to modify call centre workers’ accents in real time, aiming to reduce discrimination and improve communication. Its software preserves the speaker’s emotions and identity while adjusting phonetic patterns instantly.

The company was inspired by a call centre worker’s struggle with accent bias, leading its founders to develop a solution that enhances clarity without replacing human connection. Despite concerns that such technology may homogenise voices rather than promote acceptance of diverse accents, Sanas insists its mission is to break barriers and reduce discrimination.

With an annual revenue of $21 million and a growing client base across healthcare, logistics, and manufacturing, Sanas is rapidly expanding. The company plans to develop new AI-driven speech technologies, increase its global presence, and open an office in the Philippines, a major hub for call centres.

For more information on these topics, visit diplomacy.edu.

Google unveils virtual AI collaborator for scientists

Google has introduced an AI tool designed to act as a virtual collaborator for biomedical researchers. Tested by Stanford University and Imperial College London, the tool helps scientists analyse large volumes of literature and generate new hypotheses. It uses advanced reasoning to streamline research processes and assist in problem-solving.

DeepMind, Google’s AI unit, has prioritised science in its innovations. The unit’s leader, Demis Hassabis, recently shared a Nobel Prize in Chemistry for groundbreaking AI technology. In an experiment addressing liver fibrosis, the AI tool proposed promising solutions, showing potential to improve expert-generated approaches over time.

The system is not intended to replace scientists but to enhance their work. Google stated that the tool could accelerate scientific advancements, offering new possibilities for tackling complex challenges. Researchers involved in the project highlighted its role in fostering collaboration, rather than diminishing it.

Experts see this development as part of a growing trend in using AI across various industries. Successes like ChatGPT have demonstrated AI’s ability to support tasks ranging from customer service to legal research.

For more information on these topics, visit diplomacy.edu.