The 2024 Paris Olympics is set to showcase the transformative power of artificial intelligence (AI), with organizers leveraging the technology to enhance athlete safety, improve broadcasts, and ensure a sustainable event. The Olympic AI Agenda, established in April, outlines a comprehensive framework for AI's role in the future of the Games, promoting solidarity, sustainability, and the societal role of sports.
Key partners, including Alibaba, Intel, Omega, and NBC, have contributed to the development of this agenda. Ilario Corna, the Chief Technology Officer, stated, “We will see some pioneering concepts at Paris 2024. We are taking a measured approach for now, to test and evaluate how AI can be used to enhance the Olympic Games and have them future-ready.”
The International Olympic Committee (IOC) is deploying an AI-powered tool to monitor social media platforms for signs of online abuse aimed at athletes. This tool, developed by the IOC’s Athletes’ Commission and Medical and Scientific Commission, will automatically flag abusive messages, helping the organization understand and combat online abuse to enhance athlete protection for future Games. With half a billion social media posts expected during the Games, IOC President Thomas Bach emphasized the importance of this application.
Athletes will have access to an AI-powered chat application designed to answer queries in natural language. Developed in partnership with Intel, the chatbot is available through the Athlete365 platform, the official portal for competitors. Utilizing generative AI and retrieval-augmented generation, the chatbot will assist athletes in navigating the Olympic Village and provide information on social media guidelines, anti-doping rules, and event regulations.
In line with its goal to be the most environmentally friendly Olympics in history, the Paris Games will employ digital twins to monitor and optimize energy consumption across venues. The IOC has been collecting operational data since 2020 to improve efficiency. Atos will lead the connected efforts at the Games, managing a team of 15 technology partners to ensure secure and efficient site operations. OnePlan's VenueTwin platform has been used to create 3D visualizations of key venues, such as the Marseille Marina and the Eiffel Tower Arena, to aid in these efforts.
The integration of AI at the 2024 Paris Olympics represents a significant step forward in using technology to enhance the efficiency, safety, and sustainability of major sporting events. As these AI applications are tested and refined, they promise to set new standards for future Olympic Games.
