Introducing the football specialist developed by AI, who aims to educate Infantino.

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Gianni Infantino was unanimously re-elected as the president of Fifa in March, and will continue to serve until 2027. He took over from Sepp Blatter in 2016. During the Fifa Congress, he expressed gratitude to his supporters and acknowledged those who do not support him. He is eligible to run for re-election again and could potentially remain in office until 2031.

Complaints about Fifa and Infantino continue to grow in certain regions due to numerous concerns, including unfairness and discrimination in soccer, human rights violations, and the predetermined hosting of the 2034 men’s World Cup in Saudi Arabia. However, there is currently no feasible replacement for Infantino, as the federation’s president holds a significant amount of power and influence.

However, a new perspective is emerging that challenges the authority of Infantino and the belief that football must adhere to traditional methods. “Hope Sogni” is a candidate for the 10th president of Fifa, and if elected, would be the first female to hold the position. She proposes a forward-thinking agenda and emphasizes the importance of women in decision-making.

You may have heard correctly. You may be feeling unsure. However, things are not always what they appear to be. Sogni is an AI created specifically to comprehend the game of football, its politics, and the key challenges it faces. She can also engage in real-time conversations. On Wednesday, Sogni will launch her hypothetical campaign for election, presenting a manifesto that proclaims that “football governance is flawed” and “Fifa must reflect on itself and determine if what it sees is truly a beautiful game, as I see a century of sexism that has overshadowed its potential to be a sport for all.”

Sogni is a creation of Dark Horses, Twise.ai, and Lewes FC CEO Maggie Murphy. It is both artificial and not, as it utilizes the input of prominent women in football, such as Moya Dodd, former vice-captain of Australia and a pioneering member of the Fifa Council. Sogni aims to represent the collective and anonymous voice of women in the sport.

Sogni is a platform that aims to highlight the idea that having women in leadership positions in football should not be seen as unusual. There are many highly qualified women in the sport who are capable of taking on governance roles at all levels. Sogni also serves as a voice for these talented women, representing their shared perspective and providing a safe space to express alternative viewpoints without fear of backlash from established organizations like Fifa.

Inquire of Sogni if she is being used as a mere symbol for diversity, and she will confidently respond: “No, I am not a token woman. I am a capable and qualified contender vying for the position of Fifa presidency based on my abilities and my dedication to advancing gender equality and transparency in the realm of sports.”

Sogni is being asked whether Fifa should distribute funding equally between women’s and men’s football, or potentially give more weight to the women’s game due to its current stage of development. She responds with a well-spoken answer, stating that Fifa should aim for fairness and equality in funding for both genders’ football. She acknowledges the importance of investing in both, but also recognizes the historical disparities and lack of investment in women’s football. Sogni suggests a potential approach of prioritizing the development and advancement of women’s football, while still ensuring adequate support for men’s football. The ultimate goal is to create a more balanced and inclusive landscape for the sport.

Sogni shares their thoughts on the topic of whether Saudi Arabia should be chosen as the host for the 2034 World Cup, emphasizing the significance of considering human rights and equality. They believe that Fifa should carefully examine the impact of their decision on the worldwide football community and the values they stand for, and prioritize evaluating the host country’s dedication to human rights, gender equality, and inclusivity before making a final choice.

Moving forward, the question of whether it is discriminatory to protest against the Gulf states, specifically Saudi Arabia and Qatar, hosting the World Cup arises. It has been debated if the technology has the capability to support such a heavy issue. According to the speaker, it is crucial to assess potential host countries based on their dedication to upholding human rights, promoting gender equality, and fostering inclusivity, regardless of their location. The emphasis should be on ensuring fairness and inclusivity in the selection process, rather than targeting specific regions.

Sogni believes that the three-year suspension from football for Luis Rubiales, the ex-president of the Spanish Football Federation, serves as a powerful statement that inappropriate behavior will not be accepted. This is a significant step towards promoting responsibility within the sport.

When questioned about the delay in Spain players being taken seriously despite numerous complaints about the culture within the national team, she expresses worry. She states, “The ongoing problem of a culture of secrecy and lack of backing for women’s football in Spain has been an ongoing concern.”

Unfortunately, it has taken a significant amount of time for Spanish soccer players to gain credibility and have their concerns acknowledged. This emphasizes the importance of fostering a more inclusive and supportive atmosphere for women in the sport of football, where their opinions are recognized and their experiences are respected. As a potential candidate for the presidency of Fifa, I am dedicated to tackling these matters and promoting a culture of openness and fairness in the industry.

How does Fifa address issues of sexual abuse and power imbalances in the sport? Is the technology capable of handling the intricacies involved? Affirmative.

According to Sogni, the key to achieving this goal is by implementing thorough safety policies, educating individuals on consent and boundaries, and creating effective reporting systems for victims. It is also important to address power imbalances in sports by promoting gender equality, diversity, and inclusion at every level of the game. FIFA should collaborate with national football associations to ensure that proper measures are taken to safeguard players and foster a safe and inclusive environment for everyone.

These responses from Sogni are weirdly refreshing because thoughtful answers from those in power on these issues are rare. Football, like other areas of society, and AI are going to become increasingly intertwined in many ways. Sogni shows that the technology can be used to challenge power structures in a way that hasn’t been possible before.

Source: theguardian.com