AI is impacting almost every facet of life in both good and annoying ways. Now, it’s being used in the latest iteration of EA Sports’ NHL video game and it could make gameplay even more realistic.

One of the biggest selling points to this year’s game is that superstar digital players will have the same strengths and tendencies as their real-life counterparts.

“In NHL 26, ICE-Q 2.0 uses that treasure trove of NHL EDGE Player Data to impact how players perform in game,” EA Sports explained in a deep dive of the video game published to YouTube. “For example, we’ve reviewed Ovi’s historic trends and performance data and use that to update his character’s attributes and tendencies so his skills are aligned with his real-life self. And AI Ovi, will naturally position himself in his patented power-play spot at the appropriate time.

“All together, that means AI players start to think, move, and play like your favorite stars.”

GIF: @EASPORTSNHL/YouTube

The YouTube shows several example of “AI Ovi” setting up shop in the left circle with his hockey stick — notably CCM-branded instead of his custom twig — raised to the heavens eager to clap a one-timer home. “AI Big Pro” (Aliaksei Protas’s digi player, not “Be A Pro Mode”) then slides a perfect pass over to Alexander “Videogamesimulation” Ovechkin for the goal.

According to EA Sports, there are 22 unique tendencies at launch — “habits, built using NHL EDGE tracking” — that includes things like zone entires, reaction timing, defensive spacing, and shooting habits. For instance, when you play against the Oilers, you might notice that Leon Draisaitl will often shoot from sharp angles. Or maybe against the Avalanche, digi Nathan MacKinnon will be physical on zone entries. Digi Jacob Trouba will step up in the lane and look to rocket other players into outer space. Digi Sidney Crosby and Connor Bedard will even “find space in smarter ways, look for their go-to spots, and attack with more identity.”

The AI should inform both the digi skaters and goaltenders so that they have greater authenticity.

For those interested in trying out the new enhancements, NHL 26 will be released on September 12, 2025, on both the Xbox and PlayStation. Matthew Tkachuk is this year’s cover athlete.