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I learned a few 49ers names, and it was enough

I don't know much about sport. Before a Monday night game, I used an AI system called Banter to learn the basics, enough to hang with my brother-in-law.

Illustration of two men leaning toward each other in conversation at a football game, one holding a blank-screen phone.
AI illustration for Bonzai

On Monday night, Oct. 19, I went to the San Francisco 49ers' sixth game of the season. I know who the 49ers are. I just didn't know any of their players, or how the team had been playing.

I don't know too much about sport. So before the game, I used an AI system called Banter to get up to speed on the team.

It told me about the players. It seemed to know everything there was to know about the players, the coaches and the team members: the injuries, and who I should look out for.

What I actually held on to was much smaller than that. Roughly their top three players, and some names, really. That's all. It was enough to hang with my brother-in-law.

I think the best community systems going forward will help people go from being noobs to feeling included. For me, it started with a handful of names.