Cambridge United to use AI for player contracts

Cambridge United Football Club is making headlines by becoming the first football club to use artificial intelligence, or AI, to manage player contracts. The club's chief executive, Alex Tunbridge, explained that this new approach will help the club save both time and money. Instead of relying only on lawyers and staff to draft and review contracts, Cambridge United will now use AI technology to handle these important documents.

The club has teamed up with Genie AI, a company based in Cambridge, to make this happen. Genie AI's system will help the club create and check contracts for players, staff, and even commercial deals. This is different from how other clubs have used AI in the past, which was mostly for analyzing player performance or helping with decisions about contracts. Cambridge United is taking it a step further by letting AI actually manage the contracts themselves.

Alex Tunbridge said that there is a lot of talk about AI in Cambridge, in football, and in the legal world. By working with Genie AI, the club is staying ahead of the curve. He believes that if the club can keep the same high legal standards while saving time and money, it will be a smart move. The money saved can be used to improve the team, the stadium, and the experience for fans on match days. Rafie Faruq, the CEO of Genie AI, said he is excited to help the club because he grew up in Cambridge. The new AI system will be put in place this month, just before the transfer deadline on 1 September, when the club plans to sign new players. Cambridge United hopes that this innovative use of technology will set an example for other clubs and show how AI can make football operations more efficient.