“The invisible referee”: How Artificial Intelligence is starting to influence calls in the NBA

The NBA is no longer just watching the game—it’s calculating it. In recent weeks, the league confirmed agreements and technical advances that place artificial intelligence at the center of the basketball experience: from broadcasts and real-time statistics to systems designed to assist in controversial calls on the court. 

These initiatives include a partnership with a cloud services provider to process tracking data and the creation of an internal team dedicated to automated officiating.

The goal isn’t to replace referees, but to equip them with new tools. The league has tested high-speed cameras, sensors, and machine-learning models capable of pinpointing the exact position of the ball and players, generating 3D replays, and suggesting real-time decisions on objective plays—such as basket interference or whether a shooter’s foot was on the three-point line. 

Still, experts and academics warn of the limits of AI when the game requires interpretation and human judgment.

Referee Jacyn Goble

NBAE via Getty Images

How and When AI Will Be Implemented in the NBA

The introduction of artificial intelligence in the NBA will not happen overnight but through a gradual process spanning several seasons. According to official statements, integration will unfold in phases.

• Phase One will focus on statistics and the broadcast experience, offering real-time metrics, performance predictions, and new ways to analyze every possession.
• Phase Two will see AI assist referees with quick in-game reviews, similar to an automated VAR system. 3D cameras and computer vision algorithms will help verify controversial plays by providing accurate information about ball placement, foot positioning, and player contact.
• Phase Three will extend AI to internal team analytics, using predictive models to anticipate injuries, fatigue, and physical performance. This will rely on a new data infrastructure built with a global tech partner, set to roll out gradually starting in the 2025–26 season.

To oversee the transition, the NBA has already assembled a specialized team in data science and automated officiating to ensure a transparent, supervised implementation.

Between Precision and Controversy: The Benefits and Risks of AI in Basketball

The arrival of artificial intelligence in professional basketball opens a world of opportunity—but also raises dilemmas the league must learn to navigate.

The Upside: What the Game Can Gain

• Greater accuracy and consistency in objective decisions such as out-of-bounds calls, foot placement, and basket interference.
• Faster reviews, with algorithms and 3D cameras reducing stoppage time and improving the flow of the game.
• New metrics and fan engagement, allowing real-time stats and predictions to transform storytelling and enable personalized experiences through apps and broadcasts.
• Injury prevention and workload management, with predictive models helping protect rosters and minimize long-term absences.

The Downside: Risks, Concerns, and Side Effects

• Trust and transparency issues: Who audits the algorithm? Model errors or biases—especially if trained on incomplete data—could trigger controversy and even legal disputes.
• The risk of dehumanizing the game, as critics argue that basketball’s essence lies in its human judgment, intuition, and emotional flow, not just quantifiable decisions.
• Privacy and labor challenges, since increased telemetry means more sensitive data on players’ bodies and lives. Disputes over access and usage could create contractual conflicts, while technical and scouting roles may be radically reshaped.

In short, AI promises to revolutionize precision but also challenges the human essence of the game.

What Referees and Players Think

Reactions within the NBA community are as varied as the plays on the court.

• Referees: The official stance is one of collaboration, not replacement. Many referees see AI as a valuable ally to ease the burden of split-second calls and increase consistency, especially in complex or borderline plays. The NBA has even created a dedicated working group on automated officiating, combining veteran referees with data scientists to design systems that assist without erasing the human factor.
• Players: Opinions are divided. Some welcome AI as a way to enhance fairness and entertainment, especially after years of controversial officiating errors. Others fear that technology will strip the game of its spontaneity, turning the court into a soulless lab. Iconic voices in the sport remind us that “basketball is also felt, not just measured,” and that interpretation, contact, and instinct are as vital to the game as dribbling and shooting.

The Invisible Referee

Artificial intelligence is becoming basketball’s invisible referee. Its massive adoption in the NBA promises sharper calls, richer fan experiences, and greater player protection. 

But it also forces the league and its stakeholders to define ethical boundaries and ensure transparency. 

Technology may accelerate decisions and broaden horizons, yet the real challenge lies in preserving basketball’s essence—that unique blend of passion, judgment, and humanity no algorithm can replicate.