🏃Tracking every play and heartbeat

Jun 19, 2025

👋 Welcome! Today, we’re covering a range of topics from your new rallying partner (that can keep up) to exploring how scientific advancements in sports are getting a huge AI boost. Get ready for a full spectrum of insights that will keep you informed and engaged!

AI & TECH

Your new practice partner – A Swiss research team unveiled an AI-powered badminton robot capable of rallying with human opponents in real time. Equipped with advanced computer vision and predictive algorithms, the bot reads player movements, anticipates shots, and adjusts strategies mid-game — showcasing a leap forward in real-time robotics and sports AI integration.

Have a conversation (literally) with Google – Google’s AI Mode (within Search) now supports two-way voice conversations. Users can query, listen to responses, and follow up—without typing. It’s the next step toward a conversational, search-driven experience.

Apple eyes using AI to design its chips – At a recent Imec event in Belgium, Johny Srouji revealed that Apple is investigating generative AI tools—like those from Cadence and Synopsys—to accelerate the design of custom chips. The goal? Boost productivity and compress timelines for next-gen chips.

CAREER & WORK

Burnout nation – The hybrid and post-pandemic work shift is blurring boundaries: 16% more dinners disrupted by surprise meetings, 20 % replying on weekend mornings, and employees reporting burnout at levels not seen in over a decade. Experts warn that constant connectivity may quietly be eroding long-term productivity and mental health.

Fed says no major red flags in jobs – At today’s Fed press conference, Chair Jerome Powell said he “can see perhaps a slow, continued cooling” in the labor market—but added there’s nothing troubling in steady workforce participation and stable wage growth nor does current situation warrant a rate cut. This view is contrary to the recent voice of job loss news.

Meta continuing its AI Avengers recruitment – Meta is reportedly in advanced talks to bring former GitHub CEO Nat Friedman aboard to bolster its AI division, alongside discussions to onboard his NFDG partner Daniel Gross. The move—possibly tied to a partial acquisition of their venture fund—signals a strategic push in AI power and developer tooling.

ECONOMY & FINANCE

Fed holds rates steady – The Fed kept its key rate at 4.25–4.50% yesterday, choosing patience amid swirling trade tariff uncertainty and Middle East tensions. Powell warned tariffs are starting to rattle core inflation and will need close tracking before any rate cut is on the table. Stocks closed flat after the Fed opted not to change rates, leaving investors eyeing geopolitical news more than dollar moves.

Iran warns US: step in and face ‘all‑out war’ – Iran’s leadership delivered a stark message: any U.S. military intervention in the Israel–Iran conflict would trigger “irreparable damage” and full-scale war. Officials are reportedly preparing missiles to strike U.S. bases in Iraq and might even mine the strategic Strait of Hormuz further disruption the world economy.

Private equity stuck on $1T – Private equity giants are sitting on a record $1 trillion in idle funds as deal activity slows sharply. High borrowing costs, shaky valuations, trade tariffs, and uncertain global growth are forcing firms to pause acquisitions, raising concerns over capital deployment timelines.

VC & FUNDING

TerraPower energizes with a mega round – Next-gen nuclear power startup TerraPower landed a whopping $650M investment, led by NVIDIA’s NVentures and backed by Bill Gates. Funds will fuel development of its innovative nuclear reactor tech.

AI for accountants? – Fintech startup Multiplier—founded by former Stripe exec Noah Pepper—just raised $27.5M to scale its AI-assisted accounting platform. It aims to streamline bookkeeping and tax services by integrating intelligent automation into traditional workflows

Accel Eyes $1.5B valuation for Lovable –Swedish “vibe-coding” startup Lovable is in talks to secure funding led by Accel at a valuation north of $1.5 B. This round highlights VC enthusiasm for no-code platforms—Lovable's intuitive drag‑and‑drop has clearly won hearts (and wallets).

BIG THINK

AI in Sports: Performance Booster or Fan Experience Risk?

AI is increasingly embedded across sports—from training elite athletes to engaging spectators.

In badminton, veteran coach Fernando Rivas left the French federation to join Unified Sports AI’s effort. This system integrates real-time biomechanical data, tactical analysis, recovery metrics, and psychological profiling to optimize athlete performance.

At Wimbledon, IBM’s match-chat assistant now provides live stats, tactical analysis, and interactive Q&A, while AI replaces traditional line judges in broadcasting. The aim: keep younger fans engaged without missing real-time play. While early reviews are positive, critics worry that such technology may dilute the live-event atmosphere.

During the U.S. Open golf tournament, Deloitte introduced an AI “Rules of Golf” avatar that answers rule queries in multiple languages, guiding players and spectators alike . This fosters inclusivity and efficiency, but traditionalists caution against over-reliance on screens over stewardship by officials.

These developments echo broader advances. Sports analytics platforms like KIBI, Footrax, and Stupa are leveraging AI to monitor fitness, detect injury risk, and enhance fan-level AR/VR engagement . Meanwhile, universities like Pittsburgh have launched AI-powered sports innovation centers in partnership with AWS, focusing on player health and performance optimization.

But not everyone is convinced. Some fans and experts argue that interactive bots disrupt the raw passion of live sports. Athletes’ performance data visibility also raises privacy questions—who owns biometric insights, and how are they used?

Actionable Insights:

Champion responsible data ownership: Sports organizations must adopt transparent policies on how athlete and fan data is collected, stored, and shared—prioritizing privacy and consent.
Balance high-tech with tradition: Integrate AI tools thoughtfully, ensuring they enhance—rather than replace—the human emotion and ritual that make sports culturally rich.