My fantasy football league is trying to ban using AI for team management.
By @fayeish · Sports
The commissioner of my long-running fantasy league just proposed a new rule to ban using any AI tools for draft prep, waiver wire pickups, or trade analysis. I think this is a ridiculous overreach, but about half the league is agreeing with him.
The full story
Our fantasy football league has been going for about ten years, and it's a pretty serious but fun group of coworkers and friends. This year, the commissioner sent out a message proposing a new bylaw: 'The use of artificial intelligence, machine learning, or any similar automated analytical tools for the purposes of player evaluation, draft strategy, waiver claims, or trade proposals is strictly prohibited.' His argument is that it violates the spirit of the game and is a form of 'digital PEDs.' He wants everyone to rely on their own research, intuition, and the analysis of human sportswriters. A few of the other managers are loudly supporting this, saying it keeps the league about skill and not just who has the best algorithm. I'm on the complete opposite side. I think using AI is just the next evolution of doing research. For years people have used spreadsheets, paid for statistical analysis sites, and listened to countless podcasts. How is using a tool to analyze data any different? It's not like the AI is making the final decisions for you; it's just another source of information. Banning it feels like trying to ban a calculator for a math test. I think it's a completely arbitrary and unenforceable rule.
How people voted
- Facts — 33% (93 votes)
- Depends — 38% (106 votes)
- No Way — 29% (81 votes)
Readers are split: “Depends” leads with 38% — 280 votes and 5 comments so far.
What people are saying
@ivy — My league tried to ban certain podcasts because one guy who won listened to them. People just get salty about losing.
@ashagain — How could they even enforce a rule like this?
@oopsie — You're right that it's just the next step in research. The commissioner is being a bit of a luddite. Stand your ground!
@notmykid — lmao this is so dumb i hope u use the ai and win the whole league
@alsotbh — Fantasy football is about your gut feeling and loving the game, not about who can build the best robot.
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