Wimbledon implements AI to combat online abuse against players

The All England Lawn Tennis Club has taken a significant step to protect its players from online abuse by implementing an artificial intelligence-driven service.

According to The Guardian, this marks the first time Wimbledon is using AI to monitor and address online harassment targeted at its participants.

The AI system is designed to scan publicly visible social media accounts of the players, identifying and flagging abusive comments, including those that are racist, sexist, or involve death threats. This monitoring service supports 35 different languages, ensuring comprehensive coverage against online abuse.

Prominent players like former US Open champion Emma Raducanu and four-time Grand Slam winner Naomi Osaka have previously voiced their struggles with online harassment, which led them to remove social media apps from their devices. British No. 2 Harriet Dart has also noted that she uses social media sparingly due to the frequent negative comments.

The introduction of AI by the All England Lawn Tennis Club aims to create a safer online environment for its players. Harriet Dart, after her victory over Katie Boulter, shared her views on social media, stating, "There are many positives, but also many negatives. Regardless of a win, if I open my apps, I’d likely face a lot of hate."

Jamie Baker, the tournament director, revealed that Wimbledon has introduced the Threat Matrix social media monitoring service, developed by the AI company Signify Group. This system will also be utilized at the US Open.

Baker explained, "This isn't something you'll see publicly. We are actively monitoring social media to gather information that players might not report. If we find something concerning, our security team will intervene and take necessary action."