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AI Enters Figure Skating: A New Era of Judging?

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  Published in Sports and Competition on Sunday, February 8th 2026 at 10:36 GMT by The Straits Times
      Locales: SINGAPORE, JAPAN, UNITED STATES

Sunday, February 8th, 2026 - For decades, the glittering world of figure skating has been as renowned for its subjective judging as for its athletic and artistic brilliance. From the infamous Tonya Harding-Nancy Kerrigan scandal to more recent controversies surrounding the 2022 Winter Olympics, the perception of bias and inconsistency has consistently shadowed the sport. Now, a new player is taking to the ice: Artificial Intelligence. The International Skating Union (ISU) is increasingly turning to AI-powered systems, not to replace human judges, but to augment their assessments and usher in an era of greater transparency and fairness.

For years, the current judging system, based on a complex combination of technical elements and artistic impression, has been ripe for disagreement. While the Code of Points aimed to standardize evaluation, the subjective nature of assessing components like skating skills, transitions, performance, and interpretation leaves room for human error and potential bias. This is where AI steps in.

Several companies and research institutions are developing sophisticated AI systems specifically designed for figure skating. Absolute Air, a leading innovator in sports analytics, pioneered a system leveraging 3D motion capture technology. This system doesn't simply watch a skater; it meticulously tracks every angle, velocity, and trajectory of their movements. By analyzing jumps, spins, and step sequences with pinpoint accuracy, it can objectively assess the technical merit of each element. The system can identify under-rotations, imperfect landings, and subtle flaws that might be missed by the naked eye, providing judges with concrete data to support their decisions.

JudgeBot, another prominent AI system, focuses on the artistic side of the equation. Unlike Absolute Air's technical focus, JudgeBot employs computer vision and machine learning algorithms to analyze video footage and assess the artistic impression of a performance. It evaluates choreography, musicality, skating skills, and overall presentation, attempting to quantify the elusive quality of "artistry." This isn't about reducing art to numbers, proponents argue, but about providing a consistent framework for evaluating artistic components, thereby minimizing subjective variation.

Early trials of these systems have yielded promising results. Notably, retrospective analysis using AI revealed discrepancies in scoring at major competitions, including the 2022 Beijing Olympics. The AI accurately identified instances where scores for Japanese skater Rika Kihira and Russian skater Kamila Valieva, and others, differed significantly from what the algorithms would have predicted based on objective technical execution and demonstrated artistic merit. This validated the potential for AI to highlight inconsistencies and promote accountability.

However, the path to widespread adoption isn't without its hurdles. The initial investment in developing and implementing these AI systems is substantial. The hardware, software, and ongoing maintenance represent a significant financial commitment for the ISU and national skating federations. Furthermore, access to high-quality, labeled data is crucial for training the AI models. A lack of comprehensive video archives and accurate ground truth data (i.e., expert opinions used to 'teach' the AI) can hinder performance.

Perhaps the most significant challenge is addressing the potential for bias within the AI itself. AI models are only as good as the data they are trained on. If the training data reflects existing biases - for example, favoring certain skating styles or nationalities - the AI will likely perpetuate those biases. Rigorous data curation and ongoing monitoring are essential to ensure fairness and prevent the AI from inadvertently reinforcing inequalities. The ISU is currently collaborating with ethics experts and data scientists to develop guidelines for responsible AI implementation in figure skating.

Looking ahead, the future likely involves a hybrid approach. AI won't replace human judges entirely, but rather serve as a powerful tool to assist them. AI-generated insights could be displayed alongside the live video feed, allowing judges to review technical elements and artistic impressions in greater detail. Furthermore, AI could be used to provide real-time feedback to skaters during practice, helping them refine their technique and improve their performances.

The ISU is currently piloting several AI systems in lower-level competitions and plans to incorporate them into major international events by the 2028 Winter Olympics. The goal isn't just to eliminate controversy, but to enhance the overall experience for skaters, judges, and fans alike. By embracing technology, figure skating hopes to solidify its reputation as a sport that celebrates both athletic prowess and artistic expression, all under the watchful eye - and analytical algorithms - of artificial intelligence.