Wimbledon, IBM Debut AI Chatbot, Live Win Odds for Fans

The All England Lawn Tennis Club and its long-standing technology partner, IBM, are set to redefine the fan experience at this year's Wimbledon tournament by introducing a new suite of artificial intelligence features. Building on a partnership that spans over three decades, the latest innovations include an interactive, AI-powered chatbot called 'Match Chat' and a significantly enhanced 'Likelihood to Win' projection tool.[1][2] These new digital experiences, powered by IBM's watsonx AI and data platform, are designed to offer tennis enthusiasts deeper, real-time insights and a more personalized way to follow The Championships, whether they are on-site or watching from afar.[1][3] The move signals a continued commitment to leveraging technology to engage a global audience that now exceeds 670 million people.[4]

A central component of this year's digital evolution is the debut of 'Match Chat', an interactive AI assistant available on the Wimbledon app and website for all ladies' and gentlemen's singles matches.[1] Fans can engage with the chatbot using either pre-written prompts or by asking their own questions in natural language.[5] For example, a user could ask, "who has converted more break points in the match?" or "who is performing better in the match?" to receive immediate, AI-generated analysis and insights.[1] This feature is built using IBM's watsonx Orchestrate, which employs a collection of AI agents and large language models, including IBM's Granite, that have been specifically trained on the unique language of tennis and Wimbledon's distinct editorial style.[1][3] The goal is to provide a modern, conversational experience that aligns with current media consumption trends and offers valuable data on what information fans are most curious about.[2]

In addition to the new chatbot, IBM has enhanced its 'Likelihood to Win' feature, transforming it into a more dynamic and granular tool.[1] While previous iterations offered a win probability before a match began, the updated version provides projections that change in near real-time throughout the entire game, updating after each point is played.[5][6] This dynamic win percentage is generated through a comprehensive AI analysis that considers player statistics, expert opinion, and, crucially, match momentum.[1][3] The underlying technology for this enhanced tool includes Red Hat OpenShift, which enables the rapid and efficient processing of real-time data needed for these constantly evolving predictions.[1][6] This provides fans with a more nuanced understanding of a match's ebb and flow, reflecting how a player's current performance on the court is the most critical factor.[5]

These innovations are part of a broader strategy by Wimbledon and IBM to utilize generative AI to scale and personalize content for a diverse global fanbase.[7] In recent years, this partnership has introduced other AI-driven features, such as automated spoken-word commentary for match highlights in 2023 and the 'Catch Me Up' feature in 2024, which provides personalized summaries of the day's action.[2][7] These efforts have already shown significant engagement, with pages containing AI-powered output generating over 14 million views.[2] The technology allows for expanded coverage, including for wheelchair events, and delivers timely, curated content for the many matches that often occur simultaneously during the tournament.[7][8] The entire suite of features, including the new chatbot and win probability tool, is accessible through the IBM Slamtracker, the redesigned digital match center on the Wimbledon app and website.[1][7]

The continued integration of sophisticated AI into the Wimbledon experience represents a significant development for the sports industry and a high-profile application of enterprise-level AI. For Wimbledon, it is a way to maintain its brand's prestige while catering to the "snackable content" preferences of modern and younger fans, 70% of whom use social media while watching sports at home.[4] For IBM, the 35-year partnership serves as a prominent showcase for its watsonx platform and its ability to help clients, across any sector, unlock value from their unique data using AI.[9][3] As Jonathan Adashek, Senior Vice President of Marketing and Communications for IBM, stated, features like Match Chat and Likelihood to Win demonstrate how AI can deliver the compelling, real-time engagement that fans desire.[9] This collaboration not only enriches the viewing experience for millions but also provides a real-world demonstration of how generative AI is being deployed to create personalized, data-driven interactions at a massive scale.[10]