The Intersection of Technology and Sports: Insights from Industry Leaders | SiGMA Eurasia 2024

Summary

In this engaging panel discussion, sports icon Musa Kalan Yasin and tech entrepreneur Tamas Deek share their perspectives on the impact of AI and robotics on sports and personal growth. Musa, a UAE sprinter and CEO, emphasizes the importance of hard work and dedication, while Tamas, founder of KIRO Sports, discusses enhancing fan engagement through predictive technology. Both speakers highlight the balance between embracing technology and preserving the human element in sports and life, advocating for a connected yet tech-savvy generation.

Takeaways

• 🏁 Musa Kalan, a UAE 100m sprinter and CEO of MKI Investments, emphasizes the importance of dedication and hard work in achieving goals, regardless of one's field.
• 🤖 The discussion revolves around the impact of AI and robotics on sports and career paths, with varying perspectives on how these technologies might shape the future of sports.
• 🔮 Tomash Deek, founder and CEO of KIRO Sports, highlights the predictive capabilities of AI in enhancing the live sports viewing experience for fans.
• 🏃 Musa shares his personal approach to running, focusing on the joy and community of the activity rather than solely on competition.
• 🤝 Musa encourages new runners, promoting a supportive and motivational attitude to help others achieve their dreams.
• 🏆 Musa's view on AI and robotics in sports is mixed, valuing the human element and the organic growth of skills and passions in sports.
• 👶 Musa advocates for children to have outdoor experiences and develop passions through physical activities, rather than being consumed by technology.
• 📈 Tomash sees technology as a tool that can enhance performance and the fan experience, but also acknowledges the importance of social interaction in sports.
• 🛠️ AI and technology are presented as aids that can streamline processes, such as doping tests and health monitoring, making them more efficient and accessible.
• 📱 The script touches on the digital era's impact on social interactions, with concerns about losing personal connections due to reliance on digital communication.
• 🌐 Networking and collaboration are underscored as crucial for success, with the value of personal connections highlighted over digital interactions.

Q & A

Who are the main speakers introduced at the beginning of the script?

The main speakers introduced are Musa Kalan Yasin, the founder and CEO of MK Investment, and Tamas Deek, the founder and CEO of Kos Sports.

What is Musa Kalan Yasin's profession and sports background?

Musa Kalan Yasin is a UAE 100-meter sprinter and the CEO of MK Investments.

What does Tamas Deek's company, KIRO Gaming, focus on?

KIRO Gaming focuses on enhancing the in-play experience of sports watching through predictive algorithms that provide real-time predictions during games.

How does Musa Kalan Yasin motivate new runners?

Musa Kalan Yasin motivates new runners by encouraging them to keep training and believing in their potential to achieve their goals, regardless of current performance levels.

What is Tamas Deek's perspective on the role of technology in sports?

Tamas Deek believes that technology, such as AI and predictive algorithms, can enhance the sports watching experience and improve the understanding of game dynamics, but it cannot replace the human passion and social aspects of sports.

How does Musa Kalan Yasin use technology in his training?

Musa Kalan Yasin uses technology for research, doping checks, and health monitoring, such as using a device that measures vitamin and mineral levels without a blood test.

What is Musa Kalan Yasin's attitude towards running and competition?

Musa Kalan Yasin enjoys running for the joy it brings, regardless of competition, and often runs with others of varying skill levels to promote camaraderie and motivation.

What concerns do the speakers have about AI and robotics in sports?

The speakers have mixed feelings, acknowledging the benefits of technology but expressing concerns about the potential loss of human interaction and the essence of sports if robots and AI take over too much.

How does Tamas Deek view the impact of technology on children's engagement in sports?

Tamas Deek emphasizes the importance of maintaining a balance, ensuring that children engage in physical activities and social interactions rather than being overly dependent on digital devices.

What advice do the speakers give to the younger generation regarding sports and technology?

The speakers advise the younger generation to enjoy life, stay active, and maintain human connections, while also embracing the advantages that technology offers to enhance their experiences.

Outlines

00:00

🏆 Introduction to Sports and AI Panel

The script opens with an introduction to a panel discussing the intersection of technology, specifically AI and robotics, with sports. The moderator Sarah invites Musa Kalan, a UAE sprinter and CEO of MK Investments, and Tomas, the founder of KIRO Sports, to share their perspectives. Musa emphasizes the importance of dedication and hard work in achieving goals, while Tomas introduces his company's focus on enhancing the live sports viewing experience through predictive algorithms. The conversation hints at the potential impact of AI on the future of sports careers.

05:03

🏃‍♂️ Musa's Perspective on Running and AI in Sports

In this paragraph, Musa shares his personal experience as a sprinter, downplaying his speed to motivate others and emphasizing the joy of running. He discusses the importance of not being intimidated by others' achievements and encourages continuous training. Musa also contemplates the idea of AI and robotics taking over sports, expressing a 50/50 view, recognizing both the positive and negative aspects. He highlights the value of traditional play and physical activity in shaping character and fostering a sense of community among children.

10:05

🤖 AI's Role in Enhancing Sports and Musa's AI Experience

Tomas and Musa engage in a dialogue about the role of AI in sports, with Tomas expressing a balanced view on how technology can improve performance and Musa discussing specific examples of AI's practical applications in his training and anti-doping measures. Musa appreciates the advancements in technology that make certain processes more efficient, such as tracking substances used by athletes and non-invasive health monitoring. The conversation underscores the potential benefits of AI in sports without entirely replacing the human element.

15:09

📱 Balancing Technology and Human Connection

The panelists reflect on the impact of technology on social interactions and sports fandom, with a focus on the younger generation's changing attitudes. They discuss the importance of maintaining a human touch and the value of face-to-face communication despite the convenience of digital platforms. Musa and Tomas share anecdotes about their personal experiences and views on technology's role in enhancing or detracting from personal and communal experiences in sports.

20:11

🤝 The Importance of Networking and Staying True to One's Roots

In the final paragraph, the discussion turns to the significance of networking and maintaining connections in the digital age. Musa stresses the importance of being accessible and genuine, advocating for a balance between embracing technology and remembering one's humble beginnings. He encourages people to be creative and innovative, celebrating the hard work and achievements of others. The panel concludes with a recognition of the power of collaboration and the value of personal networks in achieving success.

Keywords

💡AI and Robotics

AI and Robotics refer to the fields of artificial intelligence and robotic technology, respectively. In the context of the video, there is a discussion about the potential impact of these technologies on careers and paths in sports, suggesting that they might replace human roles. An example from the script is the concern that sports figures might not exist anymore if everything is done by robots and games are predicted by algorithms.

💡Sports Figure

A sports figure is an individual known for their achievements or participation in sports. In the script, Musa Kalan is introduced as a UAE 100-meter sprinter and CEO, embodying the role of a sports figure. The discussion revolves around how AI and robotics might affect the future of such individuals in the sports industry.

💡Inplay Experience

Inplay Experience refers to the live engagement and interaction with a sports event as it unfolds. Tomas Deek, the founder of KIRO Sports, discusses how his company uses algorithms to predict and enhance the inplay experience for fans, making the viewing of live sports more engaging and personalized.

💡Fan Engagement

Fan engagement pertains to the strategies and methods used to involve and interact with fans of sports, games, or other forms of entertainment. The script mentions how KIRO Sports uses predictive algorithms to tap into the fan's excitement during live games, thereby increasing their engagement with the sport.

💡Motivation

Motivation is the drive or desire to achieve a goal or complete a task. In the video, Musa Kalan talks about motivating new runners to achieve their dreams and not to be limited by what others have done, emphasizing the importance of a motivated mindset in sports and life.

💡Dedication

Dedication is the commitment and devotion to a task or purpose. Musa Kalan highlights the importance of dedication in achieving one's goals in sports, stating that it takes hard work and dedication to reach the top, and he encourages others to maintain this mindset.

💡Technological Advancement

Technological Advancement refers to the progress or development in technology. The script discusses how technology has improved in areas such as doping tests and health monitoring, making processes more efficient and accessible, as mentioned by Musa when he talks about new machines that can check for vitamin and mineral deficiencies without blood tests.

💡Human Experience

Human Experience encompasses the emotions, interactions, and personal growth that come from living life as a human being. The speakers in the video express concern about the potential loss of human experience due to over-reliance on technology, advocating for a balance between digital engagement and real-life, face-to-face connections.

💡Networking

Networking is the process of building and maintaining professional relationships. In the script, Musa emphasizes the importance of networking in achieving success, stating that having a strong network can lead to more opportunities and collaborations.

💡Creativity

Creativity is the use of imagination or original ideas to create something. Musa encourages people to be creative and to be recognized for their innovative contributions, rather than just their titles, highlighting the value of creative thinking in driving progress and change.

💡Social Interaction

Social Interaction refers to the communication and activities between people. The speakers in the video discuss the importance of social interaction, especially for younger generations, and how technology should not replace the need for human connection and shared experiences.

Highlights

Introduction of Musa Kalan as a UAE 100m sprinter and CEO of MK Investments.

Musa's motivational approach to sports, emphasizing the importance of dedication and mindset.

Tamas Deek's introduction as the founder and CEO of KIRO Sports, focusing on predictive in-game experiences.

Explanation of KIRO Sports' algorithm that enhances fan engagement by predicting game outcomes.

Musa's personal experience with AI in sports, including its impact on doping tests and health monitoring.

Musa's perspective on AI and robotics in sports, expressing a balanced view with concerns about losing human touch.

Tamas' view on technology as a tool that enhances human capabilities rather than replacing them.

Discussion on the importance of maintaining a social connection and human experience in the digital era.

Musa's advice for younger generations to enjoy life and maintain a balance between technology and physical activity.

Tamas' perspective on the role of technology in improving sports performance, using examples of modern athletes.

Musa's personal anecdote about disconnecting from technology to find peace and simplicity.

The significance of networking and collaboration in achieving success, as highlighted by the panelists.

Musa's preference for being called 'creative' rather than 'CEO', emphasizing the value of innovation.

The panel's agreement on the importance of human interaction and experience over digital dependency.

Musa's reflection on the role of technology in simplifying and improving aspects of life, such as health monitoring.

Tamas' insight on using AI to curate and condense content for a better viewer experience in sports.

The panel's consensus on the 50/50 view of technology's impact on sports, both positive and areas of caution.

Transcripts

[Music]

[Music]

Tech in

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sports fabulous okay so yes last one for

Sarah who has been an amazing moderator

and I'd like to invite to Stage Musa

Kalan Yasin the founder and CEO of MK

investment an amazing emiral athlete as

well I must say and uh tomash who is the

founder and CEO of Kos sports toas are

you in the house have we got you here

here you are amazing thank you very much

enjoy

everyone all right now we're moving into

sports because I had a lot of panels

where people were not scared that Ai and

Robotics will take over their career or

their paths and all that I'm very

curious to see how do you feel about

this movement and how does it affect you

as a sports figure before we go into

this I'm going to let you introduce

yourself don't be humble you worked hard

for who you are go for it Hi how are you

guys my name is mus mhone hello hi Hi

how are you guys my name is Musa Kalan

I'm a UAE 100 met Sprinter and I'm a CEO

of mki

Investments thank you guys do you don't

want to talk about your achievements in

the

sports I'll tell them that because uh I

want to take that on a different stage

because I want to push them also to keep

on moving forward on on the stage that

they're thinking which they can take to

another level into Sports because um

most of the people they might look at a

body and just say like H okay I want to

be like that person

but they don't have the dedication and

you don't have what it takes to be that

they don't put they don't have what it

takes so I just I really always tell

anybody you can do anything you want you

understand as long as you put that on

your mindset and uh I know it's hard

work and everything it takes hard work

and dedication but you can reach your

goals once you put that in and I always

tell anyone even when I have some some

other new Runners when they come up to

me that they want to learn how to do

Sprint and everything and they say okay

but you're faster than me and all these

things I said hey don't worry about

that keep on training keep on training

you're going to beat me one day and

stuff like that so I really enjoy motiv

motivating them to achieve their dream

and not to Think Like H okay that person

did it and I won't be able to do it no

you can do no no limitations there's no

limitation you can do it too toas tell

us about

yourself hello perfect first of all I

want to say that was a fantastic panel

before congratulations to you ladies my

name is tamas Deek I run a company

called KIRO gaming uh or KIRO Sports and

we look at the

Inplay experience I.E when people watch

a game live through a predictive lens

which has applications across gaming of

course but also on the fan engagement

side so what we do specifically is we

build

algorithms that understand what is

actually happening in the game right now

and then tap into the fan inside all of

our heads Musa I'm assuming you're a

soccer fan

so if Musa was a man united fan and uh

he was watching a Man United game and

they just had two shots on goal because

they're one nil down what our algorithm

will do is it'll figure out that what's

actually exciting for Musa to predict

next is whether or not they will have a

shot on goal as their next shot and

that's just one example of something

that the alos do every 15 seconds across

basketball football and American

football baseball Etc so we really look

at the game watching experience through

a predictive lens and work with 30 plus

major league sports teams broadcast

networks gaming companies Etc to bring

that experience to fans as a way to

enhance the ingame

experience okay Musa how fast are you in

sprinting no it's it's a technical

question with with the AI

now i r 105 per

second and uh I was in a race yesterday

as a corporate

game and while I was racing a guy came

and asked me the same thing and I said

don't worry I'm not fast I'm nothing

just let's

run so because the other guy ended up

telling him oh he's a sprinter and he's

known and the guy it ended up like

getting scared so for me I don't take it

on that zone I just tell no I'm not

let's run let's run

so I get them in that zone because it

reached the point now I really enjoy

running it's not about competing I

really enjoy running with with whoever

even if the guy's a slow Runner or he's

a long distance or anything or sometimes

on Fridays there are people that would

just go running early morning on a kite

Beach and stuff like that and without me

telling them that I'm going to be there

tomorrow I would just see they posted

tomorrow 6:30 at we're meeting at Salt

and this thing I would just show up and

they would just be amazed and I'm like

guys this is what the fun thing about

running let's just all run doesn't

matter what speed I am or whatever but

our main target is what that's the key

of key of the thing that you always but

they look up to you because you're a

champion for them they look up to me and

look the way they look up to me and I

show them the same support as hey I even

look up to you guys and I'm ready to

support to give all my heart whatever

you guys need so this is what the key of

running and I really enjoy running to

tell you guys if you guys ask me like uh

where do you release your

stress running

running wow give me the best thing in

the world give me a

track you gave me the best gift ever

that's the time time where I can just

enjoy my time and with whoever is

whether it's 1 hour or two hours I have

a feel my day is fine my day is I'm very

happy what if one day you get a phone

call and they're like Musa you're not

running anymore we got this robot x56 p7

she's going to be running on your

behalf I'm really happy and support I'll

be like fine that's really beautiful but

as long as I've got a a secret track or

a field that I can run and have a inner

piece for me I'm happy but what if what

if like the I I love that I love that

you found your happiness and your peace

but how do you feel about like Robotics

and AI taking over so many things that

one day sports figures are going to not

be existing anymore and everything's

going to be done by robots and the games

will be predicted by algorithm the speed

plus this this guy's going to win it

becomes for me it becomes boring but how

do you feel about it look I have 50/50

on it there are some things which

they're doing is good and there are some

other 50 things I wouldn't recommend

that to happen because

um the new generation the way we grew up

you know 5:00 it was 4:00 that we all

like go running with our shoes and start

playing whether football or anything you

know how it is back in the days we all

just go and play around with this

bicycle or that you get what I mean that

what got us into be more active in a lot

of things you understand we we ended up

removing our characters where okay this

guy likes football this guy likes

bicycles this guy likes this thing so I

really enjoy the kids growing up and

having that kind of feeling because you

would rather go outside at 4:00 or 5:00

and watch the kids playing around

whether it's like outside and everything

instead of you saying okay it's 5:00 let

him just stay on his iPad and play with

his iPad no you get what I mean so this

is my perspective everybody has

different different ways and stuff like

that but this is for M for me I would

really

recommend the same Zone that we grew up

with because I want to keep my kids or

any other kids to be motivated into

something and to see what his passion

into this because the game is there we

can play game anytime you get what I

mean anytime you can put him to it but

to get him into psychologically know

okay I love this bab I like that Mama

let me go and play this kind of thing

Mama take me to jiujitsu oh take me to

that you feel happy my my kids

passionate into this kind of thing let

me go and you send him and you get

motivated to go watch him what he does

you get what I mean so that's really a

key for me and I really enjoy the thing

so I just everyone has his own way get I

I get what you're saying M what about

you like what if everything you're doing

one day got replaced your passion

everything you do just replaced by

Robotics and

AI my view is I'm kind of with Musa it's

a 50/50

view because most technology if you

think about it all technology ever does

is it makes whatever people want to do

makes it easier or

faster so you can't replace the passion

by robotics you might make the game

better if you look again I'm a huge

football fan right like you look at

Ronaldo today Ronaldo is better or Messi

than you can say Pelle Maradona whatever

zero chance they're 10 times better and

part of that is technology it's Fitness

it's all of this Tech that came in that

allowed them to maintain their bodies

into 38 Etc so I do think that like with

our with our kids I have kids as well

and I young kids and I want them to like

my daughter does karate and whatever

part of it is social right like kids

will enjoy things that they can do with

other people and AI can't necessarily

replace that so I'm not too skeptical on

it personally because I think technology

will always serve people where it does

fall off is if people stop kind of

caring about anything because there's

just too much dopamine going on right

like people are glued to a screen the

whole time but even then ultimately I

think social beats anything like if we

had this banel with just us it'd be

boring as hell but we have people and

therefore we enjoy it so I'm I'm with

Musa I'm

50/50 how do

you how do you incorporate AI or

technology in the field you're in for

example in sports as a sprinter how do

what does AI help you in if if you were

to list the benefits for me

well um for me like it helps me like

research a lot of things example um say

back in the days like we used to go on

races and everything so they never used

to have this kind of Technology where

you know they would check people on

doping what they used how many years

back you get what I mean they would just

check you now and they would just let

you know this thing but now the

technology which they have they can

track down what you used 10 years back

or 20 even if you want you get what I

mean so these kind of things which it

improved a lot of things and stuff like

that and another thing like example now

we've got some kind of um technology

like a machine which you used few days

ago without me telling you yeah you went

and it was just like by her finger you

know they she just had to press and it

showed you like how many vitamins and

minerals that you're less on with no

blood test with no blood test because

for me I used to do that with blood test

like we all know we got to do that with

blood test now they have like new

technology which makes it easier you get

what I mean you which makes it more

easier only you just with one press you

just wait for a few minutes boom you get

all your results and all that and stuff

like that so that's what I'm saying some

of the things I'm really happy while

they Advanced on and all these kind of

technology so this is the thing what

about your idea what you think about

that one yes so for us it I think the

problem you could state it as uh there's

too much content right so like Sarah for

example it's my first time in Dubai I've

never been here before I love

it and I was with some friends who live

here that I went to University with and

I said oh I'm going to panel to more and

they said who's on the panel and I

showed him and obviously you were

moderating and I said I I don't know who

this person is and they said said oh no

I know her through Instagram but I've

never seen you before I've never seen

your content even though your content is

good but where I live which is Miami

it's probably other content right and so

there's just too much content and so we

again think of it through the lens of

ingame like how do people enjoy watching

sports more and it's all about

condensing all the different things that

you could be predicting so like we work

with sports networks for example where

they they want people to watch longer

so how do you do that well you can

actually predict the next thing that

happens but there's like a thousand

things that you can predict right like

will messy dribble in the next two

minutes or something but that might be

boring there might be a better one and

so we use AI to condense all the options

of the millions of things that you could

be predicting in real time to one and

just curate that one thing for you

because there's just too much content

and browsing for it is is Task intensive

and people don't do that anymore so you

really have have to tap into that like

personalization recommendation thing

which again is by example with your

content is I think under understood if

there is one piece of advice because you

both come from the similar Industries

right if there is one word of advice

when it comes

to your generation this generation how

they're approaching the idea of sports

or how they're perceiving or receiving

Sports what advice would you give them

in the this digital era

basically what about you Musa I'll tell

you what I don't like with younger

people like I'm old enough to have a

favorite team which is Real Madrid like

zero chance you could move me off of

that but some of the younger kids they

just follow players they don't care it's

like okay Messi went to Miami now I'm a

Miami fan so uh there's look it might

just be like every generation right they

always harp on the next one and then

like we think we're the best one and our

kids are whatever but then they'll think

they're the best so I don't know I think

it's just enjoy life like it's kind of

to musa's point like you got to enjoy it

and I don't I don't think I know that

every generation is different but it's

not that we're the best one but it's

just that I want my son to have that

human experience that connectivity with

people and not 24/7 on an iPad or TV I

want that for him but I also want them

to enjoy this digital era cuz that's his

era I don't want to interfere it's just

that you don't want them to lose the

human touch and I said it earlier on a

panel I said now if there's a funeral

people don't attend the funeral they

WhatsApp you there is no wedding

invitations physical it's WhatsApp

invitations so it's like what what

happened to that I used to go to my

friend's home and we had a whistle where

we would whistle and they would know

that I'm outside and then they would

come out cuz there was no phone like you

could maybe call but we would just walk

for 20 minutes to our friends house

house and whistle and it's different

look as I said technology accelerates

things right it makes things easier but

it's ultimately down to what the human

wants and I do have faith in that social

and activity is ultimately what people

want and you can kind of mute it with

technology with content and dopamine but

at some point there's a breakthrough

right like people used to complain about

the TVs 30 years ago they thought like

everybody will be glued to the TV and

like now we're glued to phone

so to me is like irrelevant now what

about you m well for me like um get okay

well for me for me cuz I know like okay

technolog has been changing a lot of

things and um it's been changing US

changing our kids changing um a lot of

people around us like what s said people

Now whats up you and

everything one thing that I always keep

myself no matter what how technology is

changing no matter what this

thing I try to keep it 100 but I don't

forget the way 100 I started on the on

the other side you understand so if you

kind of tell me like example how people

use WhatsApp and all these other thing

there's some days I would disconnect

from that just for one day or two days

and it would just make me feel very

super peaceful because I would make

anyone wants me you can contact me

by noia a Nokia

phone you're an OG a Nokia phone that's

a DI very simple and easy a no your

phone you can connect me you want to get

in touch with me you can call me very

simple and easy no one has time to

complain I sent you a message you didn't

answer why what now I need you hello put

you mean put an effort you know call me

I put an effort directly boom so that's

how we keep it legit that's how we keep

it 100 no matter what yeah that's how

I'm keeping it I is this for real 100

and it's working until today you need me

W that's why I called Samia today hello

Samia how are you and

everything I'm going to see you at this

time boom there there I am I love it I

love it you get what I mean so no matter

what how technology is changing it's

true it's it's changing in other ways

but we don't forget how humble we

started with things that made us to be

strong until what until where we are so

this is where we are and second thing

also what I'm going to tell you s I'm so

happy and proud for what you put this

event on getting us connected to people

and around these things because we are

all passionate into things we're all

connected into things but today I'm here

there's some things that I know he does

I'm thankful and happy Oh Sara made it

easier for me to be in touch with him so

networking is very important networking

is very important than anything in life

so I can have as much as money I want

but I don't have a network I don't have

an access to it but but once I have an

access to someone who knows how to do

these things boom we can connect to each

other and get the things done so that's

the dream that's how dream comes true

you get what I mean it reached a point

now where anyone comes up and tells me

hi you're the CEO of mki this thing I

want to tell them please just remove the

word

CEO I'm sorry okay it's in my company

but remove that word CEO I would like

you guys to to call me creative

musan why because you guys are the game

changer you guys are a game changer

every day you guys are putting work new

ideas new everything and stuff like that

you are

creative you are creative you're

creating things you guys are game

changers you understand so I really

happy and enjoy that because that's how

much hard work and how much hard work

you guys put on I'm proud of you guys

you're a creative person tomorrow where

the generation that's growing I don't

want them to end up being oh let me

Google CEO of blah blah blah let them be

I'm going to Google the creative of sah

s and gets to see all the things of s

Med did and how much she achieved and

all these things that's how amazed they

go on you understand that's how the am

they go on that's so true actually you

touched something very important and I I

always say this people at the top

collaborate people at the bottom compete

true so network is important everyone

here can start something can find

someone can can do amazing things if we

all collaborate and we stay at the top

true so your network is your net worth

thank you so much guys thank you most

welcome thank you so much guys amazing

thank you very much our final Sarah

panel of our influencers she must be

finally I'm done