TELECOMS & WATSON

Curious case of artificial intelligence but Andy’s hopes of repeating 2013 glory are anything but elementary

- GORDON PARKS

IT’S a sign of climate change that a decade after Andy Murray’s first Wimbledon win, artificial intelligence has replaced Sue Barker in the commentary box. 

Time stands still for nobody – not even the broadcaster who has called it a day after being part of the SW19 fixture and fittings for an eternity.

As AI audio, or ‘Watson’ as it’s being called, is introduced for the first time to describe the action on the All England app and website, all eyes will focus on whether the Scot and his robotic hip can take the nation on another emotional rollercoaster.

The 36-year-old’s first task is a clash with wildcard Ryan Peniston, ranked 267th in the world, where not even Watson would tempt fate by suggesting it will be elementary.

Should it all go to plan, Murray will face a tricky second round match against world No.5 Stefanos Tsitsipas or 2020 US Open champion Dominic Thiem. Data experts and computers have projected his path to a quarter-final against British No.1 Cameron Norrie but American Ben Shelton would also need to have been seen off to set up that showdown.