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Writers, not robots.
It’s what many fantasy folks demand.
With Barrett Media’s report of Yahoo Fantasy using artificial intelligence, AI-written content in fantasy football has officially arrived. And based on initial reader reaction, gamers are incensed.
AI does have a valuable place as a research tool, but its fantasy analysis is lifeless, meandering and often meatless in its presentation.
Ask Grok, “How valuable will Ashton Jeanty be in fantasy football this year?” and a fully organized case is immediately generated. Key points are listed, but no supportive advanced data is referenced. No bold prediction is made. Additionally, other influential points (e.g. offensive line improvement, coach quotes, beat writer info, etc.) are notably absent.
Bottom line: The argument is incomplete, which leaves the consumer unfulfilled. Also, the experience is unmistakably sterile.
Sure, if you’re looking for a quick, black-and-white take, it serves a purpose. However, the audience engagement is sorely lacking.
Zero creativity. Zero personality. Zero laughs. And zero fun.
It's boring. Mundane and fantasy should never mix.
Interactivity is the crux of fantasy football content. People are passionate about the hobby, and they expect content creators to exhibit the same. Though all fantasy forecasts — whether scribbled by humans or generated by robots — should be taken with an entire mine of salt, flesh-and-blood versions are informative, entertaining and, most importantly, relatable. We all win some and lose most.
And when fervent opinions about, say, incessantly hyped Chargers running back Ryan Mathews inevitably fail, how will the trolls land their punches? Tossing haymakers at a soulless bot doesn’t hit the same. It’s another reduction in the virtual game’s fun factor.
AI is here to stay, but it very much is in its infancy. The blowback on it becoming a go-to source for fantasy viewpoints is absolutely warranted. While improvements are inevitable, it should never replace the analysis of a living, breathing writer.
Fantasy has always been extremely profitable for major media. It drives engagement. It sells conversation. It generates clicks.
So listen to your users and hire humans, corporate decision makers.
Stop cutting corners and do what's FUNdamental to fantasy.