Wimbledon vs. AI: What Happens When the Robots Take Over the Court?

You might be tired of hearing about AI. It’s everywhere — from your phone to your fridge — and now, it’s even landed on centre court. That’s right, Wimbledon 2025 served up more than just tennis this year. It also delivered a controversial AI upgrade that has everyone talking.

In a move that rattled fans and players alike, the iconic tournament replaced all 300 line judges with an AI-based system. Cue the outrage.

So What Actually Happened?

The traditional human line judges — with their sharp eyes and even sharper uniforms — were benched. In their place? An Automated Line-Calling System, powered by AI-driven computer vision technology.

The backlash was swift. Some fans called it the “death of tradition.” Others feared it was the first step toward replacing humans altogether. But the reality is a little less dramatic — and a lot more nuanced.

As our CEO, Tashlien Nunn, explains:

“We often throw the term ‘AI’ around a lot, and it can be a bit misleading. For Wimbledon’s Hawk-Eye, it’s probably clearer to call it an Automated Line-Calling System or a Computer Vision System. These names better describe what it actually does – it’s super advanced at seeing and calling lines precisely, but it’s not truly ‘smart’ in the way a person is. It doesn’t think, understand, or have any consciousness; it just does its job incredibly well based on its programming.”

In short: It’s a system built for accuracy — not attitude.

What This Means for Other Sports

Wimbledon isn’t alone in exploring AI. We’re seeing similar systems pop up in football, cricket, and even athletics. From VAR to ball-tracking, AI is helping officials make calls faster and fairer. But it’s also raising big questions about trust, tradition, and whether removing human error actually removes something more human altogether.

But here’s the truth: when used wisely, AI doesn’t have to replace people. It can empower them.

What This Means for Your Business

You don’t have to run a global tennis tournament to benefit from smart tech.

At ImagePlus, we help businesses use automation, AI, and digital tools to solve real problems — not just chase trends. Whether you’re building a new app, refining your website, or figuring out how to make your customer experience more seamless, we’re here to help you lead the way.

We don’t throw buzzwords around. We make tech work for people — and we’ll help you do the same.

Need to streamline your operations? Improve your customer journeys? Or just want someone to explain the jargon-free version of what AI can actually do for you?

Let’s chat. We’ve been building digital experiences for over 30 years, and we know what works.