Google DeepMind recently unveiled TacticAI, an innovative AI tool designed to assist football coaches in developing effective corner-kick strategies. Developed in collaboration with Liverpool FC, TacticAI utilizes predictive and generative AI skills to offer tactical insights on player positioning, runs, and receiver identification during corner kicks. The AI model, showcased in a blind test with football experts, was found to provide strategies indistinguishable from real-game scenarios.
The AI assistant, detailed in a blog post by Google DeepMind, focuses primarily on optimizing corner kicks, a critical set-piece play in football involving a free-kick opportunity from the corner of the pitch. TacticAI leverages data from previous games to learn various tactical aspects and employs a geometric deep learning approach to predict corner kick plays, highlighting key elements such as player relations, positioning, and shot attempts.
In a comprehensive analysis, TacticAI’s geometric architecture addresses core issues, including predicting outcomes, post-play evaluation, and adjustment recommendations based on specific results. Notably, in a blind test conducted with Liverpool FC football experts, the AI’s suggestions were preferred over original strategies 90% of the time, indicating the effectiveness and deployability of TacticAI in optimizing corner-kick strategies.
Overall, Google DeepMind’s TacticAI represents a significant advancement in leveraging AI technology to enhance tactical decision-making in football, offering valuable insights for coaches and players to improve performance during corner-kick scenarios.
