AI Commentary at Darts: Human Tone, but Still Recognisable as a Robot
londen, zondag, 27 juli 2025.
During the World Matchplay darts tournament, PDC TV is experimenting with AI-generated commentary that mimics human voices. Although the tone seems human, it remains recognisable as a robot to many viewers. Experts highlight the challenge of replicating emotion and cultural nuances, while Dutch media companies are also experimenting with AI voices for news readings.
Experimenting with AI Commentary at Darts
During the World Matchplay darts tournament, PDC TV is experimenting with AI-generated commentary that mimics human voices. This technology automatically translates the original English commentary into other languages, making it possible to provide coverage in multiple countries without the need for separate commentators for each language [1][2][3]. Although the tone seems human, it remains recognisable as a robot to many viewers [1][2][3].
Challenges in Mimicking Human Emotion
Experts highlight the challenge of replicating emotion and cultural nuances, while Dutch media companies are also experimenting with AI voices for news readings. Esther Hammelburg, a media studies lecturer at the University of Amsterdam, emphasises that emotion and cultural nuances are crucial in sports reporting, which AI currently lacks [1][2]. Even if AI voices can mimic human emotion, one must still account for different cultures [1][2].
Advantages and Disadvantages for the Viewer Experience
The use of AI commentary offers new possibilities for multilingual reporting, but replicating human expression and context remains a significant challenge [1][2][3]. Sebastian Plasschaert, owner of XS2Content, a company specialising in AI voices, believes that achieving full credibility for AI commentary is currently unattainable [1][2]. He stresses that the implementation of this technology must be done carefully and transparently for the public [1][2].
Future Perspectives and Potential Opportunities
ESPN, which has not yet adopted AI commentary, sees potential opportunities to cover multiple matches in various languages, but states that real-time sports analysis, including discussions of specific match situations and emotions, will remain a human task for now [1][2]. PDC TV sees the potential of AI commentary to increase coverage of international matches, while retaining human commentators in some regions [1][2][3].
Experiments in the Netherlands
Dutch media companies, such as regional broadcasters RTV Oost and Omroep Brabant, are also experimenting with AI voices, for example, as news readers [1][2]. Sebastian Plasschaert, owner of XS2Content, notes that AI news reading is possible but must be thoroughly tested before being implemented in regular programming [1][2]. Transparency about the use of AI technology is crucial to maintaining public trust [1][2].