MLB restricts dugout iPads to bar use of AI to make game decisions
<p>NEW YORK — Major League Baseball is restricting iPad usage in dugouts to prevent the tablets from running artificial intelligence to help make decisions.</p><p>The tablets have access to video and league-provided data, and also included a custom tab where teams could access other programs. MLB made the custom tabs inaccessible to teams starting Wednesday night.</p><p>"In many cases, the custom tab had expanded the use of the dugout iPads beyond their originally intended purpose to include recommendations regarding substitutions, pitch calling, and other in-game decisions traditionally made by players and coaches," MLB executive vice president of baseball operations Morgan Sword wrote in a June 11 memo to general managers, assistant GMs and video coordinators.</p><p>The memo, first reported by The Athletic, was obtained by The Associated Press.</p><p>A review by the competition committee found clubs had been compliant with the regulations.</p><p>"Instituting this prohibition beginning with the second half of the season is intended to provide clubs that have relied on the custom tab with appropriate lead-time to make any necessary adjustments," Sword wrote.</p><p>MLB started a pilot program allowing use of iPads in dugouts with restrictions late in the 2015 season and expanded their use in 2016 under a deal with Apple.
Reported by 2 outlets — Chicago Sun-Times, Seattle Times. See all sources ↓
<p>NEW YORK — Major League Baseball is restricting iPad usage in dugouts to prevent the tablets from running artificial intelligence to help make decisions.</p><p>The tablets have access to video and league-provided data, and also included a custom tab where teams could access other programs. MLB made the custom tabs inaccessible to teams starting Wednesday night.</p><p>"In many cases, the custom tab had expanded the use of the dugout iPads beyond their originally intended purpose to include recommendations regarding substitutions, pitch calling, and other in-game decisions traditionally made by players and coaches," MLB executive vice president of baseball operations Morgan Sword wrote in a June 11 memo to general managers, assistant GMs and video coordinators.</p><p>The memo, first reported by The Athletic, was obtained by The Associated Press.</p><p>A review by the competition committee found clubs had been compliant with the regulations.</p><p>"Instituting this prohibition beginning with the second half of the season is intended to provide clubs that have relied on the custom tab with appropriate lead-time to make any necessary adjustments," Sword wrote.</p><p>MLB started a pilot program allowing use of iPads in dugouts with restrictions late in the 2015 season and expanded their use in 2016 under a deal with Apple. Video was eliminated in the 2020 COVID season following the Houston Astros' sign-stealing scandal, then returned in 2021.<br></p>
Read the full report at Chicago Sun-Times ↗
Why it matters
2 outlets are covering this world story — one to watch as reporting develops.
- What's the story?
- <p>NEW YORK — Major League Baseball is restricting iPad usage in dugouts to prevent the tablets from running artificial intelligence to help make decisions.</p><p>The tablets have access to video and league-provided data, and also included a custom tab where teams could access other programs. MLB made the custom tabs inaccessible to teams starting Wednesday night.</p><p>"In many cases, the custom tab had expanded the use of the dugout iPads beyond their originally intended purpose to include recommendations regarding substitutions, pitch calling, and other in-game decisions traditionally made by players and coaches," MLB executive vice president of baseball operations Morgan Sword wrote in a June 11 memo to general managers, assistant GMs and video coordinators.</p><p>The memo, first reported by The Athletic, was obtained by The Associated Press.</p><p>A review by the competition committee found clubs had been compliant with the regulations.</p><p>"Instituting this prohibition beginning with the second half of the season is intended to provide clubs that have relied on the custom tab with appropriate lead-time to make any necessary adjustments," Sword wrote.</p><p>MLB started a pilot program allowing use of iPads in dugouts with restrictions late in the 2015 season and expanded their use in 2016 under a deal with Apple.
- How widely is it covered?
- 2 outlets, average source rating 6.0/10.
- When was it last updated?
- 2m ago.
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- Coverage card2 outlets1CoverageScouting report
MLB restricts dugout iPad use to prevent use of AI to make decisions
Sources2TypeCoverageChicago Sun-Times
Seattle Times