SportAccord Forum to tackle the technology decisions sports organisations can no longer avoid
Technology is moving quickly, but for International Federations the challenge is not simply keeping up. It is knowing which technologies genuinely matter, where investment can create value and, just as importantly, what not to buy.
At this year’s SportAccord Forum, the Expert Exchange “Ready or not: the technology decisions sports organisations can no longer avoid” will bring together Sanjit Atwal, Co-Founder of Halfspace, and Professor Andy Miah, Chair of Science Communication & Future Media and AI Ethics Champion at the University of Salford, for a practical discussion on the technology choices facing sports organisations today.
New platforms, artificial intelligence and increasingly sophisticated digital tools offer enormous potential, but they also create difficult choices for organisations working with limited budgets and specialist capacity. Investing in the wrong system, collecting data without a clear purpose or embarking on a large-scale transformation project without understanding the problem it is meant to solve can be costly.
The session will look beyond the hype to explore what data sports organisations actually need, where AI can already deliver meaningful value and how federations can make more informed technology decisions.
It will also examine how better use of technology can support wider organisational objectives, from increasing participation and building stronger relationships with fans and participants to creating new commercial opportunities and encouraging lifelong engagement with sport.
Designed as an interactive exchange rather than a traditional panel, the session will give delegates the opportunity to challenge assumptions, test ideas and hear directly from two experts working at the intersection of technology, data, AI and sport.
Ready or not: the technology decisions sports organisations can no longer avoid takes place on Tuesday, 6 October 2026, from 14:00 to 14:45 at the SportAccord Forum.
