Athletes row, AI watches—discover how Paris 2024 is rowing against the traditional tide.
The Paris Olympics are set to kick off with utmost style and grandeur on July 26, 2024. Marking a first, the opening ceremony will take place not in a stadium, but along the iconic Seine river—with athletes parading in boats. The river has undergone a special cleaning operation to ensure a dazzling backdrop.
Beyond its fresh take on the inauguration ceremony, the 2024 Olympics are also embracing artificial intelligence (AI) to enhance both security and the spectator experience. From monitoring social media accounts to thwart cyberbullying of athletes to equipping the city with AI-powered cameras for security, Paris is gearing up to showcase a tech-forward Olympic spirit. In this article, let’s explore four key ways AI is transforming the Olympic experience.
1. AI to shield athletes from online abuse
Image from Freepik
Social media and sports is a double-edged sword. It connects athletes with fans globally but can also expose them to online abuse, adding to the pressure they already face on the field. To tackle this, the International Olympic Committee (IOC) has implemented AI tools that create a safer online environment for all athletes.
The AI system monitors accounts across various social media platforms in real-time, covering more than 35 languages. It’s designed to identify and flag harmful content, such as slurs, offensive images, emojis and abusive comments, prompting the respective social media platforms to intervene. In many cases, these harmful texts will be deleted before athletes can see them.
This AI monitoring system also helps the IOC understand and mitigate the nature of online abuse, aiding in developing more effective safety measures and policies going forward. Incorporating AI to prevent cyberbullying is a crucial step toward providing a safe online space for athletes. After all, their mental health is as important as their physical health in facing their big day.
2. Paris beefs up security with AI
Image from BBC news
Paris has witnessed some harrowing events in the past, including a terrorist attack at The Bataclan theater in 2015 and another potential attack during a sporting event where the President was present. In keeping with that, Paris is ramping up security for the 2024 Olympics.
Société Nationale des chemins de fer français (SNCF), France’s national state-owned railway company, and Régie Autonome des Transports Parisiens (RATP), a transit operator responsible for public transportation in Paris, conducted extensive surveillance tests at four key train stations in April 2024. These tests involved using AI to monitor footage from 100 cameras across Paris, providing comprehensive coverage and real-time analytics.
Throughout the Olympics, AI will monitor for suspicious activities, such as detecting abandoned bags or unusual crowd movements, and alert security personnel immediately. This swift response capability is crucial for ensuring the safety of the Games. The data gathered by this AI-powered surveillance system will be accessible to various law enforcement groups, such as police, firefighters and security agents, who will have access to 250 cameras.
While the current AI system is crucial for detecting lone, abandoned luggage, developers are already working on expanding its capabilities. The goal is to enable the AI to identify a broader range of threats, such as fires and violent mobs.
Notable, the AI system is designed to respect privacy by avoiding facial recognition technologies. However, concerns about mass surveillance remain. Critics like digital rights activist Noémie Levainargue argue that it could allow the state to judge public behavior and body language, which infringes on personal freedoms.
3. The AI version of Al Michaels will be the voice of the Olympics
Image from AP Photo/Marcio Jose Sanchez
Al Michaels, the 79-year-old Hall of Fame sports commentator, won’t attend the Paris Olympics 2024. Nonetheless, fans can still expect to hear his voice, thanks to AI. The National Broadcasting Company (NBC), the official American broadcaster of the Olympics, plans to use an AI clone of Michaels’ voice for daily sports recaps.
According to USA Today, the voice clone is trained with Michaels’ extensive archive of sports event recaps to capture the essence of his broadcasting style. Michaels has been in the sports industry since 1971 and has provided commentary for the World Series, Super Bowls, championship boxing matches and Kentucky Derbies.
Michaels, initially skeptical, endorsed the project after seeing its potential to maintain his presence at the event. “When I was approached about this, I was skeptical but curious. Then, I saw a demonstration detailing what they had in mind. I said, ‘I’m in.’,” he told the New York Times.
4. AI to enhance fairness in Olympic judging
Image from OMEGA
Judging high-stakes sports events can be subjective and challenging. It requires precision, attention to detail and an understanding of technique and performance, all of which can be challenging for the naked eye. Since the 2018 PyeongChang Olympics, AI has supported judges and referees, and this practice will continue in the 2024 Paris Olympics in partnership with OMEGA.
Sports like gymnastics, figure skating and diving often involve differences of opinion among judges, making precision crucial. AI can help ensure fair judgments by providing objective data—such as a contestant’s height in a long jump event or a swimmer’s speed—for accurate scoring.
AI employs advanced computer vision and machine learning to analyze athletes’ movements with high precision, offering a level of detail that human judges might miss. It also enables instant replay in multiple angles and slow-motion reviews, helping ensure fair and reliable judgments.
Bringing to a close
By integrating AI, the Paris Olympics are setting new standards in sports management. This approach enhances athletes’ safety, fairness and mental well-being, hinting at a future where AI could further revolutionize sports—such as in injury prediction and talent sourcing.
As we witness these advancements in the 2024 Olympics, it’s clear that AI is set to revolutionize the way we experience, manage and enjoy sporting events, heralding a new era of precision and inclusivity in athletics.
Also read:
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- Can AI Replace Sports Referees?
- Immutable Partners With SimWin Sports to Enhance Digital Sports With AI Integration
Header Image from Freepik
