Sevilla, Spain – In a bid to enhance their player scouting capabilities, Spanish La Liga club Sevilla FC has joined forces with IBM to leverage the power of generative AI. The team, currently positioned in 17th place in La Liga, just one point above the relegation zone after enduring a series of four consecutive defeats, aims to revamp its recruitment process using cutting-edge technology.
Scout advisor: A game-changer in player scouting
The innovative tool at the heart of this collaboration is known as “Scout Advisor,” a generative AI solution developed by IBM. Powered by Watsonx, IBM’s AI and data platform designed for enterprises, Scout Advisor is poised to revolutionize the way Sevilla FC identifies and evaluates potential recruits.
Scout Advisor’s capabilities extend far beyond traditional scouting methods. It possesses the ability to sift through vast volumes of data residing within the club’s existing databases, offering a comprehensive evaluation of potential recruits. This evaluation includes both quantitative and qualitative data, such as height, weight, speed, number of goals, minutes played, and textual analysis from the club’s extensive scouting reports, totaling over 200,000 documents.
Data-driven decision-making with scout advisor
One of the standout features of Scout Advisor is its ability to generate candidate lists based on specific language prompts provided by the club’s scouts. These prompts describe the key characteristics sought in potential players. Scout Advisor takes this information and compiles lists of candidates that align with the club’s requirements, while also summarizing the full set of scouting reports for each individual player.
Sevilla FC President José María del Nido Carrasco expressed his enthusiasm for the partnership, stating, “We are excited to work with IBM as this project can be a game-changer for Sevilla FC and the whole sports industry. Our scouts and analysts are committed to finding the best players to support our team’s success and have built an impressive database of player reports. Now, with the support of IBM, we can utilize this asset to its full potential.”
AI transforming the sports industry
IBM’s Chair and General Manager for Europe, Middle East, and Africa (EMEA), Ana Paula Assis, underscored the transformative potential of AI in various industries, including sports. She emphasized that with the right safeguards and governance in place, AI continues to be a game-changer for businesses looking to modernize their operations.
Assis added, “Producing trusted and explainable insights advances the goals of a competitive football club while transforming the work of a football scout.”
Sevilla FC’s rich history and recent success
Despite their current struggles in La Liga, Sevilla FC boasts an impressive track record of international success in the 21st century. The club has clinched eight European titles, comprising seven UEFA Europa League championships and one UEFA Super Cup.
Sevilla FC’s commitment to embracing AI technology through their partnership with IBM demonstrates their dedication to staying at the forefront of football innovation, with the ultimate goal of securing continued success both domestically and on the European stage.
Sevilla FC’s collaboration with IBM and the implementation of Scout Advisor represent a significant step forward in the world of football scouting. By harnessing the power of AI, the club aims to identify and recruit talent more effectively, with the hope of turning their fortunes around in La Liga and maintaining their impressive tradition of European success. As AI continues to find its place in the sports industry, Sevilla FC stands as a pioneer in using cutting-edge technology to gain a competitive edge on the field.
