The International Chess Federation (FIDE) and Singapore Chess Federation (SCF) have named Google as the title sponsor of its World Championship in Singapore.
Under the agreement, Google will sponsor the FIDE World Chess Championship Singapore 2024, which will take place at Resorts World Sentosa from 23 November to 15 December later this year.
This deal marks the first time a global technology leader has sponsored the World Chess Championship, with the FIDE stating Google’s presence will enable the competition to reach new heights and standards for the competition. .
Emil Sutovsky, CEO of FIDE, commented: “FIDE is thrilled to partner Google, as it becomes the title sponsor of the World Championship Match. It is a milestone for our sport. This collaboration brings a new dimension to the competition, blending the tradition of chess with the innovation of AI.
“The partnership is set to elevate the visibility of the World Chess Championship, taking the broadcast of the event to the next level and attracting new audiences globally.”
AI is now employed in various fields, from content creation and scam prevention, to customer support. However, chess was pivotal in advancing the technology during its early development.
Simon Kahn, Google’s Chief Marketing Officer for Asia Pacific, highlighted the connection between chess and AI, noting that some of its earliest AI breakthroughs came from “mastering chess as a proof-of-concept.”
He said: “Google is excited to sponsor this historic event. Chess represents a profound intersection of human ingenuity and technological potential, and has always been a proving ground for AI innovation.
“In fact, some of our earliest AI breakthroughs came from mastering chess as a proof-of-concept. Through Search, YouTube, and AI, we are now delighted to enhance the Championship experience for chess fans globally, celebrating the beauty of this game that continues to inspire and challenge us.”
Like many tech companies, Google has invested heavily in AI recently, with sports teams reaping the benefits. For instance, Liverpool FC teamed up with Google in March to gain insights on optimising corner kicks.
