Robots do not usually discuss tennis matches and share game predictions, but artificial intelligence is being served in unorthodox ways at the Australian Open.
Infosys revealed a suite of innovations at the Melbourne grand slam tournament on Friday, all of which used generative and agentic AI, with some designed to help fans overcome hurdles to enjoying the event.
The technology is designed for spectators, but experts believe players and coaches might also benefit from the changes.
The AI announcement comes one month after the federal government released its National AI Plan to boost investment in the technology, and as it prepares to establish the Australian AI Safety Institute.
The sporting innovations at Melbourne Park follow an eight-year partnership with Tennis Australia, Infosys Asia Pacific executive vice-president Andrew Groth said, and had been created to change the way fans engage with the game.
Artificial intelligence technology could crunch data from tennis matches in real-time and turn it into useful insights, he said.
"Every single point in a game of tennis is a piece of data and that data is being used for analysis, it's being used for predictions, it's being used to help engage fans," he told AAP.
"We have AI-delivered commentary in real-time, we have match statistics, we have video analytics, all these things going through the whole tournament."
One new world-first addition to the event is an AI-powered device called MatchFeel that looks like a tablet computer with a tennis court printed on it.
A magnetic, silver ring moves around the virtual court, tracing the ball's movement and allowing visually impaired fans to follow the action.
The device was a first for a tennis tournament, Mr Groth said, but early feedback indicated it could feature at more events.
"We've had it for just in the last few days and a former player who's visually impaired used this device and thought it was absolutely fantastic," he said.
Other AI tools developed for the Australian Open included a generative AI-powered robot named Rally that could provide match insights and predictions, and an in-app service called Keys to the Match that delivers three insights for each match based on game statistics.
Infosys also used AI to recreate tennis matches in virtual reality environments at the event, and to generate computerised commentary.
Using artificial intelligence to enhance tennis matches could broaden their appeal and inspire more fans, world number two women's singles player Iga Swiatek said.
"When technology is used responsibly to help more people understand, feel and access the game, it strengthens everything that makes sport meaningful," she said.
The Australian Open continues until Sunday.
