AI and tech innovations at THE 2024 PARIS OLYMPIC: A game changer in sport
Artificial intelligence (AI) and technology innovations are set to transform some aspects of the Olympic Games Paris 2024, paving the way for future editions
Artificial intelligence (AI) and technology innovations are set to revolutionise aspects of the Olympic Games Paris 2024, with applications ranging from athlete safeguarding to enhanced broadcast experiences and efficient energy management.
In a pioneering move, the International Olympic Committee (IOC) launched the Olympic AI Agenda in April 2024, outlining the transformative impact AI could have on sports. Paris 2024 is serving as the debut stage for these advancements.
“The IOC will use AI at the Olympic Games Paris 2024, in different areas. A very important one is safeguarding from cyber abuse, since we expect about half a billion social media posts during these Games. AI will also be used to create highlights videos in multiple formats and languages during these Games. We are also using AI to make the Olympic Games more sustainable, through a very sophisticated first-ever data capture and energy management system. AI is also opening up new ways for talent identification, and this project will be launched by us globally in 2025 to live up to the commitment we made that AI in sport must be accessible to everybody.
The AI-powered monitoring system designed to protect athletes from online abuse was already announced earlier this year by the IOC. It will use AI to monitor hundreds of thousands of social media accounts and flag abusive messages for intervention by the relevant platforms.
In addition, says Corna, athletes, who are at the heart of the Olympic Games, will also be able to test drive a new chat service that the IOC is providing in partnership with Intel, on the Athlete365 platform.
Athletes’ AI chatbot
But AI is also helping current Olympians. Intel has created a chatbot for athletes to ask all their questions, such as how to get around Paris, where to eat, and how to get family accredited. It makes it much easier for athletes to navigate through the Olympic administrative hurdles as the answers are given in real-time.
Athletes are also benefitting from the IOC’s AI-powered tool to monitor social media platforms for signs of abuse and flag messages. It will gather information to help the IOC better understand online abuse to protect them more in future Games
Efficient planning through digital twinning
There are also behind-the-scenes applications of AI that will pave the way for more efficient planning of the Olympic Games in the future. The energy consumption at Paris 2024 will be monitored in real time, and the captured data will be used to inform future planning.
“We started gathering various operational data as far back as 2020, to look at how we can make the management of the Olympic Games more efficient,” explains Corna.
“For planning, we are now working with our Partner Intel using the concept of digital twinning, or digital representations of venues so we can foresee, for example, where we would need power, where we would need to place cameras, and if there could be any accessibility issues – all without needing to be on site every time. Using these digital twins of the Games venues, we can change the way we organise the Games.
The Olympic Movement’s Worldwide Information Technology Partner Atos will coordinate a team of 15 technology partners comprising over 2,000 experts, all working to make the Olympic and Paralympic Games Paris 2024 fully connected, secure and digitally enabled.
Broadcast and engagement
In collaboration with the IOC’s commercial and broadcast partners, AI will also be used by Olympic Broadcasting Services during Paris 2024 to improve internal workflows, enhance the viewer experience, enrich storytelling and better explain certain sports events.
To drive better efficiency for broadcasters, Alibaba Cloud launched OBS Cloud in conjunction with OBS in September 2018, and supported the broadcast coverage of Tokyo 2020 and Beijing 2022.
The implementation of OBS Cloud provides an alternative to heavy investment for Media Rights-Holders and the host cities, as Olympic Games-related content can be transmitted over the cloud, effectively reducing the carbon footprint.
At the Olympic Games Paris 2024, OMEGA will act as the Official Timekeeper for the 31st time. Working with OMEGA, OBS will unlock the power of AI to deliver faster, more relevant, and insightful data during the Olympic Games. For example, intelligent stroboscopic analysis across diving, athletics and artistic gymnastics will enable viewers to better understand the movements and biomechanics of the athletes. In addition, in diving, OBS and OMEGA will use AI to generate enhanced data graphics, providing a new set of data on each athlete’s performance in the air and when entering the water. AI-based motion tracking technology will also help commentators and viewers keep track of athletes’ positions during canoe sprint, marathon, race walks, cycling road (road race and time trial), cycling mountain bike, marathon swimming, rowing, sailing and triathlon.
High-tech Opening Ceremony
Samsung, as the official Wireless Communication and Computing Equipment Partner of the Olympic and Paralympic Games, have equipped Galaxy S24 Ultra smartphones on each country’s boat during the historic Opening Ceremony on the River Seine to offer a closer connection with this first-of-its-kind celebration by sharing on-board footage via an exclusive 5G network powered by Orange, the official mobile network provider of Paris 2024.
Finding olympic talents
Intel, which is the Official AI Platform Partner for Paris 2024, has a stand at the Stade de France which is causing a lot of buzz among spectators who can test which sport their bodies are best suited to.
Entering a dark box to be met with bright lights on the inside, body measurements are taken with a camera, then the persone is put through the motions of running on the spot as fast as they can, squeezing devices as hard as they can, and the reactions being tested by touching flashing lights quickly. The Intel employees working in the booth are extremely upbeat and encouraging the efforts,
The tests end with having to do a super-hero pose and a final sprint. Participants in the test are then met with results. The technology uses AI to gather and analyse the body’s strengths and weaknesses to see which of the 12 sports the participant is best at. The sports include football, sprinting and table tennis.
But this custom-built tech is not just for spectators at the Games: it could spot the next sporting talent anywhere in the world, creating opportunities for those from developing nations.
source: Scientific American I ICO I NPR
cover image: Healthsporttech
author: Barbara Marcotulli
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