Artificial intelligence is making its way into every aspect of our lives.
That includes coaching, specifically for Laura Harvey, the leader of Seattle Reign in the National Women's Soccer League.
Harvey recently admitted that ChatGPT, an AI service, helped her game plan for opponents. Telling this story on the Soccerish Podcast, Harvey said she asked ChatGPT what the best formation was to beat other NWSL teams.
The AI told her that there are two teams that she should align with a back five against. So that's what she did.
"No joke, that's why I did it," Harvey said on the podcast.
Seattle usually plays a back four, meaning that its defensive back line features four players.
The ChatGPT suggestion was to make it a five-player back line, which creates more solidity with three players considered as centerbacks along with defensive and attacking width with the two wide players called wingbacks.
MORE: This LeBron James, Alex Ovechkin stat is absolutely mind boggling
Harvey didn't share which two teams she was advised to make the formation change against.
When AllSportsPeople asked ChatGPT this morning which two teams it would've suggested, it said "according to analysis and reporting," it would likely have been the Orlando Pride (who the Reign played in April) and the Kansas City Current (who they played in May).
The Pride won that April game when superstar Barbra Banda notched the only goal in the 41st minute. Seattle did win against the Current in May, 1-0, as its defensive solidity held up.
The Reign currently sit fourth in the table with 38 points this season. They were 13th a year ago.
Harvey won't be the last coach to ask AI some strategy questions, that's for sure.
MORE: Kentucky Wildcats had their worst exhibition loss since playing the Soviets in 1991