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Adam Silver confirms NBA moving toward AI-automated officiating system

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The NBA’s prime time product is becoming increasingly difficult to watch, and Commissioner Adam Silver is finally taking notice.

During an appearance “The Pat McAfee Show” On Wednesday, Silver confirmed that the league is moving toward automation in its officiating, particularly for objective replay calls that regularly slow games down during the playoffs.

Or as we all know: flopping.

“In terms of replays, I think we’ll get to the point pretty quickly where those types of calls will become automatic, for example, on out-of-bounds plays,” Silver told McAfee.

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“We will move to such a system where the entire category of calls will be automated,” Silver explained.

“These calls will be handled by an automated artificial intelligence system with cameras lined up around the field. It will be instant and automatic.”

Silver hopes automation will eliminate repeat delays.

In addition, fans are increasingly annoyed by malicious attacks, and flops continue to occur on the hardwood, especially during the Western Conference playoffs.

NBA Commissioner Adam Silver speaks during a press conference during the 2026 NBA All-Star Weekend at the Intuit Dome on February 14, 2026 in Inglewood, California. (Ryan Sirius Sun/Getty Images)

At the center of much of this criticism is Oklahoma City Thunder star Shai Gilgeous-Alexander.

SGA’s playoff run exposed the NBA’s growing embellishment problem, where most pucks feature exaggerated head movements or flailing arms.

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Silver also acknowledged his frustration with foul play.

“I would just say there’s a difference between selling a call, overhyping it, and a true bust,” Silver said.

“If they’re not fooling the referees, it’s more like they’re teaching players how to sell calls these days.”

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander looks on during an NBA game at Paycom Center

Oklahoma City Thunder’s Shai Gilgeous-Alexander watches during the fourth quarter of Game Five against the San Antonio Spurs of the NBA Western Conference Finals at Paycom Center in Oklahoma City on May 26, 2026. (Christian Petersen/Getty Images)

“Because there is contact a lot in every game,” Silver said.

“That doesn’t necessarily mean there was a foul.”

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“I think technology will be really useful here,” he added.

For years, the NBA has tailored its officiating rules to offensive players.

Carry violations are barely enforced, moving screens are publicly visible, and defenders are often penalized for using the same zip code as the player handling the ball.

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