Artificial intelligence (AI) is revolutionizing the way people approach various industries, and sports betting for gamblers is no exception, according to Dr. Ashley Dockens at Lamar University.

AI can use predicative analysis and automated betting systems to draw out data, helping gamblers predict which of their favorite teams will win.

Dockens, who studies generative AI, said the market is saturated with apps like Chatgpt tailored specifically for sports betting. However, results vary from app to app. That should go without saying.

Criticism aside, if the computer systems are capable of calculating betting trends, they can theoretically produce a higher win rate for bettors.

“If they have all the historical data from these games, player statistics, team performance, all that stuff, if all that information could be put in, AI can absolutely identify patterns,” she said.

Artificial intelligence has its drawbacks

But it all sounds too good to be true. The systems are expensive to implement, they require maintenance, and they lack honesty and creativity. Dockens addressed a few of her own concerns.

“AI is just not meant to be necessarily truthful,” she said. “It’s just basing its responses based on the large amount of information that exists on the world. And we know that large amount of information that’s out in the world isn’t always right.”

Gamblers also run the risk of AI generating opinions based on misinformation and rumors online. Simply put, these programs will only provide bettors a prediction based on the information they give it.

“You know how people are with sports right, nobody’s better than the Packers if you love the Packers,” Dockens said.

“Whatever you put in is going to get you whatever you put out. So if you don’t write good prompts, you’re probably not going to get what you want out of it.”

AI can still be used to help gamblers make smarter bets

Although AI might not always successfully predict the correct point spread or winner, one sports bettor believes it can still be used to help gamblers make smarter bets.

According to Fox 4 Beaumont’s Kierstin Lindkvist, Peytyn Merritt of Port Neches has been using fantasy sports apps and online sportsbooks since he reached the legal gambling age.

“I placed the first one the day I turned 18 years old. … I placed my first bet on that date actually,” he said. “I’ve placed three or four this week on MLB alone.”

Per Lindkvist, he uses what he considers advanced analytics to make his picks.

“What’s their record at home, what’s their record away, how do they play against teams that play this way or this style,” Merritt said. “I’d say I have a 50 to 60 percent success rate.”

Additionally, AI can save bettors time by providing deeper insights into betting trends. It can essentially spot opportunities and avoid common pitfalls as well.

“I think it would help people who aren’t very knowledgeable in it or don’t have the time to look into it like I do,” he said. “Definitely help them out on some picks.”

Users can also access detailed records of AI-generated picks, including win rates and past performance. This transparency can help gamblers improve their betting outcomes.

AI might improve higher education in the future

In June, Dockens made it clear that she hopes AI can also be used to improve education.

“I think it’s upon us to show our value and how we can leverage these new tools to improve higher education,” she said. “It helps faculty improve and support their teaching goals. It assists in meeting all the hectic requirements of expectations of faculty work.

“I also think it’s going to help with accessibility because it can create alternate outputs to make accessible aids and formats for various needs.”

As artificial intelligence becomes increasingly prevalent in various industries, Dockens underscored the necessity for students to develop AI literacy.

“Now that AI is out there, it’s not going anywhere. It’s starting to become a part of the industries in the workplaces where our students are going to go,” she added.

“I think there’s starting to become an expectation that you as a person… need to be AI literate. For that reason, you must learn how to use it.”