Kicker - An artificially unintelligent cameraman

MYRNA BROWN, HOST: With the rise of artificial intelligence, technology is threatening to replace human workers in a wide range of positions.

During a recent pro soccer game in Scotland, directors of a telecast made a bold decision. 

To cut down on the number of people present amid coronavirus concerns, they chose to use an artificial intelligence system to replace a flesh and blood cameraman. 

It was, of course, programmed to keep the camera focused on the movement of the ball up and down the field. 

But the AI got confused, mistaking a referee’s bald head for the ball—repeatedly zooming in on the ref instead of the ball. 

Commentators apologized to viewers as the camera focused on the linesman’s shiny dome while the action continued off-screen.  

So it appears the jobs of live sports camera operators might be safe—at least a little while longer.

It’s The World and Everything in It.

(Photo/Tom Cox, via Twitter)

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