The 2024 Summer Olympics in Paris are set to be a milestone for athletic achievement and the groundbreaking integration of Artificial Intelligence (AI). During these Olympic games, the IOC (International Olympic Committee) has recognized and accepted the introduction of AI into the games and the broader range of worldwide sports. In their ambition statement for the 2024 Summer Games, the IOC said, "The International Olympic Committee inspires and accelerates change across global sport by embracing the potential of Artificial Intelligence to advance fairness, excellence, solidarity and the Olympic experience."  

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The IOC also released a 20-page document outlining its stance on AI, the "Olympic AI Agenda." In this document, they outline various aspects of how they intend to implement AI into the games in a responsible way that does not hinder the core aspects of the Olympics. "Together, we can unlock AI's full potential to promote solidarity, further digitalization, improve sustainability and resilience, and reinforce the role of sport in society."

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Their five focus areas for AI in the games are:

1. Supporting Athletes, Clean Competition and Safe Sport  

2. Ensuring Equal Access to the Benefits of AI  

3. Optimizing Olympic and Paralympic Games Operations with a Focus on Sustainability  

4. Growing Engagement with People  

5. Driving Efficiency Across the Management of the IOC and Sport

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With the IOC leaning heavily into AI technology and AI being at the height of its current popularity, there is no better time to discuss just what goes into the integration of AI in the Olympics and what aspects of the games are being shaped by this groundbreaking technology.

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AI in Athletic Performance

AI is pivotal in identifying and nurturing the next generation of Olympians. Although AI doesn't influence athletic performance directly, it's the data collected from the athletes that is valuable. Wearable devices with sensors collect vast amounts of performance data and metrics on athletes who compete in the games. AI analyzes this data to develop personalized training regimes, predict potential injuries, and optimize nutrition plans. This AI data is also collected in real-time and used as stats shown to viewers while the events are happening live.

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Furthermore, AI is transforming traditional training methods. This data-driven approach enables coaches to customize training programs to suit each athlete's specific strengths and weaknesses. AI engineers are also integrating AI into virtual reality (VR) to allow athletes to engage in hyper-realistic simulations and even compete against legendary athletes from the past. AI-driven robots can replicate various playing styles, providing a versatile training partner unmatched by human coaches.

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AI in Judging

The quest for fair and accurate judging is an ongoing challenge in the Olympics. AI offers a potential solution by automating tasks like analyzing dives or tracking pitches in baseball. Machine learning algorithms can analyze data points more consistently and objectively than human judges, potentially reducing human error and bias.

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The envisioned future sees a collaboration between AI and human judges. While AI handles the technical, objective aspects of judging, human judges will focus on the subjective, artistic components of sports like figure skating or gymnastics. Additionally, human judges sometimes have limitations in evaluating performances compared to well-trained machines. These machines can analyze a rich history of data to deliver highly precise scoring.

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AI Enhances the Fan Experience

The 2024 Olympics will showcase how AI can transform the spectator experience. This year, there's a plethora of sponsors showcasing new technology that benefits athletes and viewers alike. Let's take Intel, for example—they are deploying AI solutions to create interactive fan activations that analyze participants' physical abilities and recommend suitable Olympic sports. Additionally, AI-powered 3D models of venues will assist visually impaired visitors with navigation using smartphone apps and voice commands.

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For the majority of viewers watching from their homes around the world, AI is revolutionizing the broadcasting experience. The Paris Olympics will feature 8K livestreaming powered by Intel Xeon processors, offering an unparalleled high-definition viewing experience with minimal lag. AI will also customize viewing experiences by generating personalized highlight reels based on individual viewer preferences.

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The summer games will also be one of the first to be shown on a streaming service. Multiple different events can be watched at once through a Peacock membership if you live in the States. The streaming services showing the games also use AI in their recommendation format to analyze what events the viewer is interested in and can recommend the events the viewer might want to watch directly at the top of the app.  

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Challenges and the Road Ahead

The International Olympic Committee (IOC) sees Artificial Intelligence (AI) as a powerful tool to transform the Olympics. Their "Olympic AI Agenda" explores how AI can benefit multiple aspects of the games, and we recommend that you read the agenda for yourself if you are interested in the governance of their AI policies! They acknowledge potential risks like data privacy and job displacement but aim to mitigate them through a governance framework and collaboration with experts.  

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While AI offers vast potential for the Olympics, there are challenges to address. Data sharing among private companies developing AI tools remains a hurdle, hindering the overall progress of AI in sports. Additionally, determining the ideal balance between AI's objectivity and human judgment in artistic sports requires ongoing discussion. Despite these challenges, the 2024 Summer Olympics offer a glimpse into a future where AI plays a transformative role in the Games. From fostering a new era of data-driven athlete training to creating a more immersive and equitable experience for athletes, fans, and host cities, AI is undeniably shaping the landscape of the Olympics. As we look towards the 2028 Los Angeles Games, we can expect even more dramatic advancements in AI technology that will further revolutionize this global sporting spectacle. How much longer until we see an all-robotic 100m dash?