By Molly Loughman

Should artificial intelligence prioritize an athlete’s game readiness or physical or emotional well-being in sports?

This question ignited exchanges at a joint symposium between Emerson College and Beijing Normal University-Hong Kong Baptist University United International College (UIC). Held at Emerson’s Bill Bordy Theater on January 14, the event brought together students, faculty, and their points of view on sports, health, and communication.

“After UIC was so gracious to host over 100 Emerson students on their campus during the COVID-19 pandemic, it felt natural for us to begin to return the favor and have members of the UIC community at Emerson for this symposium,” said Corey Blackmar, Emerson’s Director of Global Partnerships & Internationalization, during his opening before moderating the discussion. “For many of them it was their first time in the United States, and we are excited to be able to be part of that experience.” Opening remarks were also provided by President Jay Bernhardt, Dean Huang Yu (UIC), and Dean Brent Smith (Emerson’s School of Communication). 

UIC’s visit to Boston was the final stop in its U.S. tour, which included Washington, D.C. and New York City, offering students a comprehensive glimpse into American academic and cultural life.

The gathering marked a rare opportunity for cross-cultural dialogue. Through lectures, a panel discussion, and interactive roundtables, participants examined themes such as athlete wellbeing, AI in sports, and the role of language in shaping perceptions of health.

Professor Lei Shi (UIC) spoke on applications of scientific and mathematical insights to monitor, understand, and improve the performance and health of athletes.

Dean Smith spoke to the audience about society’s evolving role in defining an athlete’s potential in terms of winning games and winning in life through wellbeing (e.g. physical, financial, emotional). He identified words, phrases, and concepts that can shape how well we appreciate the full humanity and health of amateur and professional athletes.

Smith’s presentation challenged traditional sports narratives, critiquing phrases like “no pain, no gain” for promoting harmful practices. “When we shift the conversation from mere winning to the overall wellbeing of player and team, we might help everyday people who are looking to sports for examples to emulate in their own lives. That could lift both sport and society,” Smith noted.

AI in Sports: A Global Perspective

The morning also featured a scholar dialogue moderated by Smith, with Professors Lauren Anderson (Emerson Communication Studies department), Shi Lei (UIC), and Huang Yu (UIC) as panelists. The academics launched into a thought-provoking conversation about the role of AI in sports beyond optimizing performance and strategies, delving into its potential to support athletes’ overall well-being.

For physical wellbeing, AI could track and analyze injury risks in real time, explained Shi. However, its impact on emotional and occupational wellbeing is equally critical—AI could provide personalized mental health support or career transition planning for retiring athletes, he said. 

The conversation gripped the attention of 35 students from UIC, who traveled from Zhuhai City in China’s Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area. Conversing with UIC students were Boston students from Anderson’s sports communications class. 

Bridging Cultures Through Dialogue

Roundtable discussions invited participants to tackle questions such as: “What role should language play in defining health and success in sports?” and “How can students influence the future of sports communication?” These exchanges revealed shared concerns across cultures, such as prioritizing athlete well-being over competitive metrics.

A Partnership for the Future

The collaboration between Emerson and UIC exemplifies both institutions’ commitment to global education. UIC, the first modern college in mainland China to champion liberal arts education, found a natural partner in Emerson’s innovative and globally minded School of Communication. The event highlighted the critical role communication plays in bridging cultural divides, fostering mutual understanding, and shaping the future of sports and society.