Science

Who Will Win New England Patriots vs. Oakland Raiders? A.I. Predicts

Denver wasn't enough altitude, so the Patriots head to Mexico City.

Getty Images / Dustin Bradford

The NFL plays its second regular season game in Mexico City this weekend when the New England Patriots and Oakland Raiders face off. A hive mind of about 30 NFL fans predict the Patriots will win.

As you’re likely to hear over and over throughout the broadcast, the Patriots had some unique preparation for the 7,000-foot altitude of Mexico City, having stayed in Colorado after last week’s win over the Denver Broncos. As for the Oakland Raiders, they are just trying to keep their winnowing playoff chances alive by pulling the upset and regaining some of last season’s momentum.

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From their last game in 2014.

Getty Images / Jim Rogash

To predict the result of this and other games, Unanimous A.I. used what’s known as swarm intelligence to forecast the week’s slate. About 30 NFL fans worked together as a hive mind to make picks. As you can see in the animation below, each participant controlled a little golden magnet and used it to drag the puck toward the answer they thought was the most likely outcome. As the users saw the puck move toward a particular outcome, it triggers a psychological response. They readjust their decision-making, building toward a consensus. Here’s Unanimous A.I. founder Louis Rosenberg explaining swarm intelligence at a recent TEDx Talk.

Unanimous A.I. has made some scarily accurate predictions in the past using swarm intelligence, as our previous article explains. For instance, the swarm went a perfect 7-0 in its most recommended picks for a recent English Premier League slate.

Unanimous A.I.

The swarm appeared to hesitate for the tiniest moment, but then, nah — it’s the Patriots with high confidence and 92 percent brainpower.

Unanimous A.I.

The swarm predicts the Patriots will win by seven to nine points, with 81 percent brainpower behind the pick. That’s basically the Vegas line, which has New England by seven points.

The game kicks off 4:25 p.m. Eastern Sunday on CBS.

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