Photo: Magnus Carlsen and Henrik Carlsen
Photo credit: Maria Emelianova/Chess.com
By: Edward Radzivilovskiy
I recently spoke with Henrik Carlsen, father and manager of Magnus Carlsen, to learn why he and Magnus became early investors in the AI sports-tech company SportAI.
It might not seem like an obvious fit, but in our hour-long conversation we explored the link between chess and other sports, the value of personalised coaching, and how AI (which transformed chess) is poised to do the same elsewhere.
When I asked how a five-time World Chess Champion got involved with SportAI, Henrik explained: “There is a natural affinity between sports like chess and football,” noting their shared strategic nature. Inspired by Google DeepMind’s AlphaZero, Magnus had seen how AI revolutionised chess and recognised that other sports were ready for a similar shift. “What better time to get in on the ground floor with an investment like SportAI?” he said.
Three main factors shaped Magnus’ decision. First was his close working history with SportAI’s leadership: Andreas Thome (ex CEO of Play Magnus and now SportAI Chairman) and Espen Agdestein (ex Play Magnus board chair and now SportAI board member). Magnus had worked with them while building Play Magnus AS and trusted their vision. As he said, “From what I’ve seen from the team we worked with before, we instantly knew this was going to be a success.”
Second was Magnus’ passion for sport beyond chess. He’s an avid golfer and football fan, and his first chess coach, Simen Agdestein - Espen’s brother, was a top professional footballer for Norway at the time. SportAI’s focus on swing-based sports resonated with him.
The third factor was Magnus’ love of sports analytics. He’s long been interested in data-driven performance, much like the “Moneyball” concept in baseball. Few know he once topped the Fantasy Premier League out of 11 million players. The idea of SportAI combining computer vision, machine learning, and analytics to improve athletic performance was something he strongly believed in. “SportAI is about using AI to understand human movements, optimise them, and improve sports technique,” Henrik explained.
One of the most compelling ideas we discussed was SportAI’s ability to democratise elite training for all. With AI, players anywhere could access feedback once only available through expensive, subjective one-on-one coaching. Henrik compared this to Magnus’ own chess journey, where the internet and online resources gave him access to world-class training outside traditional hubs.
As we wrapped up, I felt inspired and grateful. Magnus and his team have limited time for interviews, so having his father sit down with me and share their vision for SportAI showed their commitment to the company. Magnus explained:
“To be great at sports is about finding your edge. The technology that SportAI is bringing to market can expand availability to technical coaching and analysis in a way that’s never been possible before. I love sports like golf and tennis, and I believe that AI-powered technique analysis can truly advance these sports for players, businesses and spectators alike. That is why I decided to invest and get behind the SportAI team.”
- Magnus Carlsen
The Carlsens’ belief in AI’s potential to enhance human performance signals a new era in sport, one where technology and strategy unite to bring out the best in every athlete.
If you're interested in joining the team, now is the time.
For any comments about the article or other inquiries please contact SportAI at:
contact@sportai.com.