Major League Baseball (MLB) has disabled a custom tab on dugout iPads that allowed teams to run AI tools live during games. The change took effect at the start of the season's second half on Wednesday.
What happened
According to a June 11 memo from Morgan Sword, operations executive vice president (EVP) of MLB, the dugout tab had evolved to the point where it was recommending substitutions and pitch calls in real time. In response, the league removed the capability to use AI for live, in-game decision assistance.
What is still allowed
Teams may continue to use artificial intelligence for pregame preparation and analysis, but real-time recommendations during play—such as suggestions made during an at-bat or instant substitution calls—are now prohibited. A league review found that every club was compliant and that no team cheated by using the feature improperly.
Why this matters
The league’s action draws a clear line: it is not banning AI outright, but it is preventing machines from making split-second on-field decisions that traditionally fall to coaches. As stated in commentary around the decision, using AI for prep is acceptable, but the technology cannot "whisper" during live play. There is also an economic subtext: a software solution that costs a few hundred thousand dollars can out-read a bench staff that costs millions, so MLB limited live AI where human judgment remains central.
Consequences
In the short term, the move clarifies the boundaries for technology use on the bench and preserves the role of coaching staffs in in-game strategy. Clubs will still benefit from AI-driven scouting and game planning, while instantaneous, in-game tactical calls remain under human control.
