The integration of generative A.I. at the Paris Olympics showcases the technology’s growing influence across various sectors, including sports. The International Olympic Committee (IOC) has launched the Olympic A.I. Agenda to inspire the adoption of A.I. innovations, aiming to enhance the experience for athletes and spectators. From chatbots assisting athletes with queries to machine learning recommendations for better sleep, A.I. is becoming an integral part of the Olympic experience.
Historically, A.I. has made significant inroads in sports through partnerships like the NFL’s collaboration with Amazon (NASDAQ:AMZN) Web Services and the NBA’s introduction of the NB-AI feature. Comparatively, the current application of A.I. at the Paris Olympics is more comprehensive, involving both athlete support and fan engagement. While previous implementations focused primarily on performance analytics, the current focus includes athlete wellbeing and interactive experiences for fans.
The IOC’s A.I. monitoring system, aimed at protecting athletes from online abuse, exemplifies how technology can safeguard participants. Athletes also benefit from AthleteGPT, an A.I. chatbot developed by Mistral AI, providing answers on social media guidelines, anti-doping rules, and more, powered by Intel’s Gaudi processors.
Enhancing Fan Experience
A scaled-down version of the A.I. system lets fans at the Stade de France mimic participation in Olympic events, with A.I. models evaluating their performance. Behind the scenes, A.I. is revolutionizing planning and operation, with digital twinning technology enabling the IOC to create virtual venue representations. This allows for better planning of power needs, camera placements, and accessibility without on-site visits.
Broadcasting and Data Insights
In collaboration with commercial partners, the IOC enhances viewer experiences and storytelling through A.I. Alibaba’s OBS Cloud supports broadcast coverage, reducing carbon footprints by transmitting content over the cloud. Omega’s A.I.-based motion tracking technology assists commentators and viewers in tracking athletes during various events, providing faster and more insightful data.
Despite its potential, A.I. in the Olympics has sparked controversy. Google (NASDAQ:GOOGL) faced backlash for an ad featuring its A.I. chatbot, Gemini, which was seen as undermining creativity and authenticity. Google stated, “While the ad tested well before airing, given the feedback, we decided to phase it out of our Olympics rotation. We believe A.I. can enhance human creativity but can never replace it.”
As A.I. continues to advance, the balance between leveraging its benefits and addressing ethical concerns will shape the future of the Olympics. While A.I. offers promising contributions, traditionalists and ethical considerations emphasize the need for a cautious approach to its integration into sports.
