The Association of Tennis Professionals (ATP) has implemented a groundbreaking artificial intelligence tool, ATP Safe Sport, which has effectively protected top male tennis players from a significant amount of severe online abuse. In its inaugural year, the system scanned over 3.1 million social media comments, successfully identifying and concealing 162,000 abusive messages aimed at 245 players.
Key Facts
- The ATP Safe Sport initiative launched in July 2024 and has since scanned 3.1 million online posts.
- It has shielded players from 162,000 severe abusive comments in its first year.
- The tool covers top 250 singles and top 50 doubles players, protecting them from various online threats including email threats and impersonation.
Background
Online harassment has been a significant issue for athletes globally, with many facing abuse from anonymous sources, often fueled by gambling losses. ATP’s AI tool was developed to combat this, providing real-time protection by scanning social media posts and concealing harmful content before it reaches the players.
Timeline / What We Know
The ATP Safe Sport was launched in July 2024 and immediately began its operations. Over the past year, it has actively monitored and managed online interactions related to top men’s tennis players, significantly reducing their exposure to harmful digital content.
Official Reactions
ATP Player Advisory Council member, Serb Dusan Lajovic, praised the initiative, highlighting its role in fostering a healthier online environment. Andrew Azzopardi, ATP Director of Safeguarding, noted the system’s effectiveness, mentioning that while it doesn’t eliminate abuse entirely, it serves as a critical first line of defense.
What’s Next
The ATP plans to enhance the incident response protocols of the Safe Sport initiative, broaden its protections, and advocate for greater accountability from social media platforms. This forward-looking approach aims to further safeguard athletes’ well-being in the digital sphere.