AI Replacing NFL Coordinators

Shaan Puri believes AI will revolutionize NFL play-calling by replacing human offensive coordinators, as computers will be better at making split-second strategic decisions based on complex game situations.

Key Points:

• Current Play Calling Process:

  • Coordinators use physical cheat sheets during games
  • Have roughly 10 seconds to make play decisions
  • Heavily reliant on human judgment and experience

• Why AI Will Take Over:

  • Can process more variables simultaneously
  • Better at calculating expected value returns
  • Similar to how computers now dominate humans in chess, go, and poker
  • Could analyze situations like "3rd down and 7" with all relevant variables

• Challenges with Human Decision Making:

  • Limited time to process information
  • Can't consider all variables simultaneously
  • Rely on gut feelings and experience rather than pure data

• Sports Analytics Evolution:

  • Baseball is easiest to model (1 pitcher vs 1 batter)
  • Basketball is more complex (10 players moving freely)
  • Football is most complex (22 players with specific assignments)

• Impact on the Sport:

  • Would maximize expected value of each play
  • Could lead to more efficient scoring (like Chiefs' untouched touchdown plays)
  • Would remove human error from strategic decisions

• Broader AI Implications:

  • Shows how AI will affect unexpected industries
  • Demonstrates AI's ability to handle complex decision-making
  • Suggests traditional sports roles will be transformed by technology