IBM and ESPN have unveiled a new AI-powered feature for the ESPN Fantasy app, offering users more detailed reasoning behind player waiver and trade grades.
Fantasy football users are increasingly embracing AI-powered solutions to improve their rosters and overall experiences, according to a new survey by IBM and Morning Consult. Image Courtesy: IBMArmonk, New York, USA – September 11, 2024:
IBM and ESPN have unveiled a significant enhancement to the ESPN Fantasy app, leveraging generative AI technologies from IBM's AI and data platform, watsonx. This new feature offers fantasy football users more detailed reasoning behind player waiver and trade grades, providing a personalized and engaging experience.
The announcement comes as new research commissioned by IBM confirms the growing popularity of AI among fantasy football enthusiasts. The survey revealed that nearly 90% of users regularly engage with AI-related tools, and 82% leverage trade and waiver suggestions to improve their fantasy lineups.
The "Top Contributing Factors" feature within the Waiver Grade and Trade Grade sections provides users with in-depth explanations for the assigned grades. These explanations are generated by IBM's Granite large language model, taking into account various factors such as player performance, expert analysis, and the specific needs of each fantasy owner's roster.
This new feature complements the existing IBM watsonx-powered tools, including Trade Analyzer and Player Insights, which offer valuable insights to help users make informed decisions about their lineups.
The collaboration between IBM and ESPN Fantasy Football has been ongoing for eight years, with watsonx technologies playing a crucial role in transforming football data into actionable information. This latest enhancement further demonstrates the power of AI in enhancing the fantasy football experience.
As fantasy football continues to grow in popularity, AI-powered tools like those offered by IBM and ESPN will become increasingly essential for users seeking to gain a competitive edge. The ability to access personalized, data-driven insights will undoubtedly make the fantasy football experience more enjoyable and rewarding.