AI & Sports Integrity: Fighting Corruption in the Digital Era
Anti-Corruption
Artificial Intelligence (AI) is rapidly reshaping the fight against corruption in sport. From match-fixing and illegal betting to insider manipulation, AI tools can uncover patterns that may have gone unnoticed. Yet, the same technology that strengthens integrity efforts can also be weaponised in ways that threaten fair play and trust.
The Upside: Smarter Surveillance & Stronger Deterrence
AI-powered analytics can process massive datasets such as betting markets, player statistics, and even social media activity to detect anomalies that suggest potential corruption. This allows integrity units and regulators to act more quickly and base interventions on stronger evidence.
Machine learning models also enhance transparency by identifying networks of suspicious activity across borders, making it easier to expose organised corruption rings that traditional methods can miss.
AI will also help to further strengthen integrity initiatives that focus on anti-doping, security and safeguarding including the prevention of and appropriate response to harassment and abuse in sport. An example is the use of AI to detect at scale and pace targeted online abuse towards athletes
The Downside: Misuse, Manipulation & Mistrust
But with every opportunity comes risks. While AI can be used for good, unsurprisingly it can be used for deception and ill intent. Deepfake technology, for example, can generate convincing fake videos or audio recordings of cricketers or other Participants, potentially fabricating evidence of misconduct or manipulating public opinion. Such content could severely damage reputations, compromise investigations, or be exploited by corruptors to influence betting markets. Recently a former player who is now a NCF staff member found themselves featured in an online advertisement for a betting company; the footage used had been taken from a legitimate campaign for a mobile phone and combined with fake audio.
Similarly, AI could be used to alter data, falsify documents, create false narratives during ongoing integrity investigations, or even be used as a defence of evidence located. These tactics can obscure genuine evidence and erode public trust in both the sport and the investigative process.
Even when used responsibly, AI can make mistakes. Algorithms sometimes produce false positives, flagging innocent players or umpires as suspicious. Overreliance on automated systems without human oversight risks turning legitimate human error or performance anomalies into accusations of corruption and other misconduct.
The Way Forward
In 2024, the International Olympics Committee (IOC) launched their Olympic AI Agenda which has five guiding principles to steer the creation, implementation, management and assessment of AI initiatives and ensure they align with the IOC’s vision for the deployment of AI Fostering Safe Sporting environments.
Following an International Partnership Against Corruption in Sport (IPACS) AI Workshop, this led to IPACS partners establishing a new working group to explore the potential risks of AI for corruption, and its benefits for anti-corruption, in sport.
Ultimately, in addressing corruption in sports, technology is a double-edged sword. Used wisely, AI can expose wrongdoing and strengthen integrity in sport. Used irresponsibly, it can distort truth and undermine the very integrity it aims to protect.
To protect the integrity of sport, organisations must invest not only in advanced AI tools but also in ethical frameworks, transparency, and human oversight. This is currently a challenge due to cost, resource and cybersecurity risks. AI should enhance human judgment, not replace it. Clear policies on data governance and digital evidence verification are essential to prevent abuse and ensure fairness in investigations.
Terms-of-Reference-IPACS-Working-Group-on-AI-and-corruption-in-sport.pdf
IPACS - Artificial Intelligence (AI) and corruption in sport
