The X Games will be trying out a new method of judging halfpipe performances in Aspen, utilizing artificial intelligence as part of an innovative experiment that could eventually reshape how sports that rely on subjective scoring are evaluated. Jeremy Bloom, a notable figure in freestyle skiing and the new CEO of the X Games, is leading this initiative in collaboration with Sergey Brin, one of the co-founders of Google.
By employing tools from Google Cloud, particularly Vertex AI, Bloom envisions a revolutionary change not only in the halfpipe events but potentially across slopestyle courses, skateboarding, and any sport that requires judge assessments. “One of the major problems with subjective sports is that even the most skilled judges can make errors,” noted Bloom, who represented the U.S. in freestyle skiing at two Olympics while also playing football in college. “Such mistakes can have significant consequences. Imagine if we could empower judges with insights they can’t perceive with the naked eye; this technology could significantly aid their decision-making.”
The risk of erroneous judging looms prominently over all major events, including snowboarding, which, despite its casual atmosphere, is now well-established in the Olympics. A previous incident at the last Winter Olympics in Beijing nearly led to a controversy in the men’s halfpipe finals. Japanese snowboarder Ayumu Hirano performed an incredibly challenging trick—a triple cork—as part of an impressive overall run but ranked behind another competitor who did not reach that level of difficulty after two attempts. Social media erupted with criticism when experts questioned the judges’ decision. It was only after Hirano completed the triple cork in his final run that he secured the gold.
Additionally, Canadian slopestyle athlete Max Parrot admitted to failing to grab his board during a run that earned him the top prize; a detail that the judges overlooked but was easily observable upon closer examination of the footage. The AI technology being implemented at this week’s X Games is not intended to affect the official scoring directly; rather, it serves as a test case for what could be possible moving forward. Bloom shared that extensive footage of halfpipe runs and established judging criteria have already been integrated into a system that will be accessible to live judges and viewers at home.
The AI will observe halfpipe practices and attempt to forecast the top three competitors. During the actual event, it will also provide analysis and commentary on the performances of three different athletes as they navigate the halfpipe. “We’re in the early stages, but the capabilities of this technology are astounding,” Bloom remarked. “It’s remarkable how effectively it can operate when given precise instructions.”
In the realm of snowboarding, judges consider various aspects, such as the height reached during jumps, the difficulty of tricks performed, and the execution quality. They then assign scores on a 100-point scale, comparing performances against each other. This approach differs significantly from scoring systems found in figure skating or gymnastics, where each individual trick has pre-established point values. Bloom emphasized that all these factors are being taken into account as they refine the experimentation process.
He does not foresee a future devoid of human judges. “I believe this will not obsolete judges,” Bloom stated. “Rather, it enhances their ability to maintain scoring fairness and objectivity.”
