Why AI in Football is Diminishing the Fan Experience.
For many football fans, the jumbotron has always been a key part of the gameday experience. It's the central hub for replays, hype videos, and a way to connect with the crowd. But at Jordan-Hare Stadium, the new AI-generated fan photo feature feels like a step backward. While it’s presented as an upgrade, it ultimately detracts from what makes the gameday atmosphere so special. It’s an interesting concept in theory, but in practice, it feels more like a tech demo than genuine fan engagement.
To understand why it's a downgrade, it's important to know how the feature works. Fans are prompted to submit their photos, often through a dedicated app or website. An AI system then processes these images, applying a specific filter or style to transform them. Transform them into what? Well, it transforms Auburn fans dressed up in their Auburn gear in the stadium into… Auburn fans… dressed up in AI-generated Auburn merch… in an AI-generated Jordan-Hare. These altered photos are then displayed on the big screen, replacing the more traditional content.
This new process stands in stark contrast to the kind of gameday content that truly energized the crowd in the past. Remember segments like "The Masked Singer"? A player, their identity hidden by a blackout helmet, would sing a song, and the entire stadium would participate in trying to guess who it was. The competition, mixed with the moment of reveal, created a shared laugh and a real connection with fans. This type of jumbotron segment was real and authentic.
The AI feature lacks all of that. There's no spontaneity or real emotion in the AI-generated photos. The images feel sterile and impersonal. While they're visually complex, they don't capture the simple joy of seeing a genuine fan reaction on the big screen. The focus shifts from celebrating the human element of gameday to showcasing technology. This makes the feature feel more like a commercial for an AI platform than a tribute to the fanbase.
The sentiment that this is a downgrade isn't isolated. An online petition on Change.org, titled "Remove AI from Auburn Jumbotrons," is circulating among fans who feel the feature diminishes the fan experience. The petition highlights that the AI content is a bandwagon move, a trend that doesn't respect the traditions and authenticity that Auburn gameday is built on. The collective desire to remove the feature shows that a significant portion of the fanbase believes the technology doesn't add anything of value.
Ultimately, the best parts of the Auburn gameday experience are built on tradition and raw passion. The AI fan photos, by replacing authentic moments with manufactured visuals, weaken that experience. It's a clear instance of technology being used for its own sake, rather than as a tool to enhance the connection between the team and its fans genuinely.
War Eagle!
