Chapter 1: Introduction to AI and Sports

When it comes to proving a point, conducting your own research is essential. However, enlisting AI to do the heavy lifting can often be even more beneficial. Earlier this year, I decided to put Google Bard to the test to see how well it could assist me. (The odd appearance of the screenshots is due to my emailing the conversation to a friend, but I assure you, they are genuine outputs from Google Bard.)

So far, the results were decent. Unless you're a die-hard Maple Leafs or Bruins supporter, you might not notice that Bard only accurately identified 8 out of 10 draft picks from 2013. For something that took place a decade ago, that's not too shabby! In fact, it likely outperformed the average sports fan at a bar, right?

(That said, it’s concerning how misleading information can appear credible while being filled with inaccuracies. But let's keep the mood light!)

Immediately, I recognized a glaring error. I was aware that the Chiefs held the first overall pick, and Blake Bortles was never in the conversation for that spot in 2013, as he wasn’t selected until 2014.

But hey, everyone makes mistakes. Perhaps a second attempt would yield better results.

Interestingly, this new list was slightly more accurate, yet still far from perfect. It managed to get the first seven picks right, but the final three were incorrect. You’d think that by consulting any reputable source like the NFL's official site or Wikipedia, it would get the details straight. It shouldn't be feasible to nail the first seven and then completely miss the mark, but here we are.

Unsure of what to do next, I decided to ask it again if it was confident in its answers.

It reassured me that it had verified the information multiple times and was indeed confident. Then, when I pointed out that Hopkins was not the 8th pick, Bard responded as if it was obvious—he was actually drafted 27th. Clearly, this was getting me nowhere.

Nonetheless, I had another research question in mind, and I was unprepared for the outcome.

Wow. There were so many errors here I had to tackle them one by one. The concept of a reigning champion should be straightforward: the most recent titleholder remains the reigning champion, regardless of whether a new season has begun. Yet, as of April 7, 2023, Bard believed the 2022–2023 NHL season hadn’t even commenced. In reality, the regular season was well into its 82-game schedule. But I suppose I can’t expect it to be perfectly current. Moving on.

The NFL season concluded with the Super Bowl, where the Chiefs triumphed over the Eagles. Yet, Bard seemed to think they played again the very next day, but this time the Eagles emerged victorious.

This revelation was astonishing. Bard claimed that in 1986, the New York Giants not only clinched the NFL Lombardi Trophy but also secured the NHL Finals, lifting the Stanley Cup. If an NFL team were ever to win the Stanley Cup, it would be a monumental sporting achievement, warranting a month off from work for everyone to revel in the glory.

At this point, I could only voice my frustration over using this tool, which, ironically, couldn’t assist me in that regard either.

In summary, it’s clear that Google Bard is not well-versed in sports.

Chapter 2: Humorous Misadventures with AI

In the first video titled "I let an AI create impossible Wii Sports challenges," the creator explores the absurdity of AI-generated gaming challenges, showcasing the humorous outcomes that ensue.

The second video, "I Was Using AI Wrong and It Was Making Me Dumb [this is now what I do instead]," discusses the common pitfalls of using AI incorrectly and offers insights on how to optimize its usage for better results.