Revolution in sport: New AI platform SpoKI supports trainer training!

Revolution in sport: New AI platform SpoKI supports trainer training!

In the last few days, sports experts from all over Germany have gathered to shape the future of coach training at a conference of the German Sports Confederation (DSB). At this event, DOSB education officer Sabrina Merkl presented impressive practical examples from 14 different state associations. The insights come from, among others, the German Ski Association, the German Football Association and the German Hockey Association, which are among the pilot associations that played a key role in the exchange. DSB reports about the findings that focus on the fact that qualifications need to be more closely aligned with the realities of the trainers' lives.

A key concern is to place more emphasis on practical training experiences rather than relying exclusively on theoretical knowledge queries. To this end, the DOSB has pushed forward the development of sports artificial intelligence (SpoKi). This innovative technology is intended to revolutionize the creation of training plans and training content and offer those responsible for education valuable support. DOSB explains that SpoKi is based on a competency model that was developed for DOSB license training in order to enable trainers and trainers to acquire crucial competencies in their sports.

Challenges of the new training concepts

Switching to these new training approaches brings with it a number of challenges. Education experts are required to completely redesign training concepts, curricula and examinations so that a new understanding of the roles of teachers and learners is created. Close cooperation with the “Zeitakademie” of the weekly magazine “Die Zeit” also created an important network that promotes exchange between the associations. The moderating role of Dieter Vierlbeck and the education officer Stefan Hoffmann was of great importance in stimulating dialogue and clarifying procedural questions and cooperation between the regional associations.

Another exciting point was the introduction of Clemens John from the company John IT, who provided information about news in license and course management. The progress in the connection to DATEV platforms was discussed. An important step, which is already in the trial phase, is the interface to the central membership administration in the Bavarian Sports Shooting Association. Associations can find out about the options at any time from their specific ZMI providers.

The future with AI in sports

The fusion of technology and sport is unstoppable, a fact that also emerges again and again in the general discussion about the integration of artificial intelligence. Loud Sports lexicon AI is now firmly established in professional sports and is increasingly finding its way into competitive sports due to its great popularity in mental games such as chess and poker. AI is becoming increasingly relevant for game and player analysis, particularly in German professional football.

Artificial intelligence offers the possibility of creating objective evaluations of players. This not only helps make decisions about team composition, but also develops individual training and nutrition plans. It can even make referees' work easier by helping to avoid wrong decisions.

The SpoKi project is expected to run from January to December 2024 and is financially supported by the German Foundation for Commitment and Volunteering. The long-term goal is to develop an executable prototype for those responsible for education, which is based on the criteria of the DOSB competency model. An open source strategy is pursued to make adjustments easier and to ensure transparency and sustainable further development.

Overall, there is enormous potential in the fusion of education and technology, but it cannot be implemented overnight. It takes time for proper development and implementation, but the future promises exciting new avenues in sport.