The text of the Dentsu Inc. news release distributed on March 27 is as follows.
March 27, 2017
Dentsu Inc. Launches "AI Sports Commentary Project" Utilizing Data Technology
― Sports Commentary System "ZUNO" Appears on NHK Program ―
Dentsu Lab Tokyo (Dentus Labu Tōkyō) ※1, a production team within Dentsu Inc. (Headquarters: Minato-ku, Tokyo; President: Toshihiro Yamamoto) dedicated to developing new forms of expression rooted in technology, has launched the "AI Sports Commentary Project" utilizing data technologies such as deep learning. As its first initiative, the team developed the sports commentary system "ZUNO" for use in NHK's baseball-related programming. ※2
Through this project, the company will first challenge itself in 2017 to unravel professional baseball using data technology.
A program featuring the development of ZUNO will air today at 4:45 PM on NHK BS-1. Details are available at URL: http://nhk.jp/zuno-sanをご覧ください. A concept movie can also be viewed here (URL: https://movie-s.nhk.or.jp/v/yqf01fw3 ).
In developing this sports commentary system, we applied "deep learning" technology, which gained attention through human-versus-AI showdowns in fields like Go and chess. Specifically, by learning from over 3 million at-bat data points recorded since 2004 provided by Data Stadium, it predicts pitch selection, outcomes, and standings. By applying data mining, it analyzes pitching based on player tendencies and game situations that human commentators previously couldn't identify.
Moving forward, we aim to have ZUNO (Mr. Zuno) appear as a commentator on NHK BS baseball-related programs as early as next fiscal year. Furthermore, we will apply digital sports commentators to sports beyond baseball and work on developing methods for viewers to enjoy sports from diverse perspectives.
Dentsu Lab Tokyo, launched on October 1, 2015, is both a space for new creation and solutions and a "team that thinks while creating," integrating research, planning, and development. It is tackling the development of new forms of expression rooted in technology, completely different from the traditional advertising agency approach. The keyword is open innovation. Collaborating not only within Dentsu Inc. but also with external artists and technologists, it handles creation and solutions extending beyond the advertising domain.
※2 About the Development Team
Dentsu Lab Tokyo handles planning and direction. With the cooperation of Data Stadium Inc. as an advisor for data provision and baseball analysis, we are jointly advancing the project. Development is handled by Qosmo Inc. for deep learning and visualization, Mr. Kohei Yamada for data mining, TWOTONE Inc. for UI design, and Puzzle Inc. for production.
End
Dentsu Inc. News Release
http://www.dentsu.co.jp/news/release/2017/0327-009203.html
