Chinese AI making all the smart moves at Paris Olympics

Visitors learn about the multi-camera replay system developed by Alibaba, and applied during the Paris Games. [Photo/Xinhua]

Transformative event

AI and technology innovations are transforming the Paris Olympics with applications ranging from training athletes to enhanced broadcast experiences to efficient energy management.

The International Olympic Committee recognized the transformative potential of AI in the "Olympic AI Agenda" report published in April. The IOC said it aims to adopt a "holistic approach to explore the great potential of AI, while mitigating the risks".

The agenda sets out a list of AI goals that focus on optimizing the Games, detecting talent, and reducing human bias. Many of these applications are being tested for the first time in Paris.

Thomas Bach, the IOC president, emphasized the importance of using AI to safeguard athletes from cyber abuse, with around half a billion social media posts anticipated during the Paris Games. In addition, AI is being used to create highlight videos in multiple formats and languages, he said in a statement.

"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," Bach added.

The market for use of AI in sport is projected to grow from $6 billion in 2024 to $21 billion by 2029, with a compound annual growth rate of 28.69 percent, according to market research company Mordor Intelligence.