AI and the Olympics
Technology for the IOC, LA28, and Beyond
Technology has been a part of the Olympic story since the Modern Olympics began in 1896 when officials adopted that new invention, the stopwatch. Pascal Wattiaux has implemented new technologies for the Olympics since Albertville 1992 and most recently consulted with Paris 2024. He’s seen massive changes in technology used at the Olympics – and what it takes to deliver it. On the podcast, Pascal tells us all about the tech challenges of an Olympics, particularly the important elements that the public doesn’t generally see. Take a listen!
The Olympic AI Agenda
The International Olympic Committee (IOC) has never stopped moving forward with technology so it recognizes the importance of the role artificial intelligence (AI) will play in coming years. In spring 2024, the IOC launched the Olympic AI Agenda. The Agenda lays out a plan “to explore the great potential of AI while mitigating the risks.” The Agenda explores how AI could be used in sport to improve training, judging, safety, and accessibility. Other areas where AI can play a role in the future of the Olympics: fan engagement, improved broadcasting, efficient operations, and reduced environmental impact. The IOC hopes AI can be utilized to catch cheaters as well, whether from doping, manipulated judging, or inconsistent application of the rules.
How will this all work? Well, the Olympic AI Agenda is a little light on details, at least in its public statements. As in so many industries, we know AI can help but we don’t have all the details yet. Should AI replace human judges? Can AI prevent injuries? Will AI remove bias? It is possible, but we really don’t know *yet*.
What Me Worry?
Another concern: AI requires significant infrastructure both in computing and power supply, which may lead to the widening of the gap in opportunities between athletes from wealthy countries and athletes from countries with emerging economies. Larger National Olympic Committees (NOCs) could have a great advantage in AI over small NOCs. On the other hand, because AI allows computers to do the jobs of many people, small NOCs could have access to resources they could never afford before. We know that technology already allows experts and specialists to work with athletes around the world but are small countries with small budgets able to take advantage of those opportunities in the real world?
In implementing any AI strategy, the IOC must address country-by-country laws governing data privacy and cybersecurity. If a computer housed at IOC headquarters in Lausanne, Switzerland is accessed by a scientist in the United States using software developed in Japan to deliver AI results to an athlete in South Africa, what country holds jurisdiction? International courts are grappling with these issues and not coming up with any consistent and widely accepted conclusions. Given the very international nature of the IOC, varying laws and technology culture across countries will be difficult to manage.
As with the rest of the world, the Olympics cannot predict how the AI revolution will change sport; we just know that it will.
Changing Tech Partners
What companies will be helping the IOC move into their technology future? Atos, Intel, and Panasonic have all exited The Olympic Partner Programme (TOP), the most important source of industry cooperation with the IOC. Atos provided IT integration and tech support. Intel served different roles during its longstanding participation in TOP including providing virtual reality, 5G capabilities, live streaming technology, and, at Paris 2024, implementing an AI platform. Panasonic provided audiovisual equipment and storage media, in addition to other advanced hardware. That is a lot of lost institutional knowledge and skill heading out the door for the IOC.
But other companies are stepping up.
TOP Sponsor Deloitte is taking over several aspects of the work Atos did for the IOC, in addition to providing digital engagement, data management, and cybersecurity. Samsung will continue to provide smartphones and other consumer hardware optimized for the latest AI.
Los Angeles Is the Future of the Games, Again
Back in 1932, host city Los Angeles pulled out a successful Olympics during a worldwide economic crisis. In 1984, LA revived the Olympic movement, this time after the disastrous boycott of Moscow 1980. Once again, LA is paving a new road for host cities, this time surrounding technology and AI.
LA28 is taking care of business with agreements of its own with technology companies to provide services to the organizing committee and the Games. Snowflake will provide a data sharing and collaboration platform. Autodesk is working with transportation agencies in and around Los Angeles to design traffic control plans and public transit options. CDW will be handling IT equipment. Cisco is the Official Network Equipment Partner. Honda is looking to expand its role as Official Automotive Partner beyond offering ordinary cars; the company is looking at self-driving vehicles, electric cars, e-scooters and more to reduce environmental impact and improve accessibility.
Oh, and that flying taxi thing has another shot at being a reality.
AI and the Fan Experience
But what does this all mean to the average fan? We hope it means a better experience whether you are in the stadium or at home. We want technology to allow competition to be more fair and safer for athletes. We don’t want technology to come between us and our favorite Olympians or dehumanize the Olympic experience. In the end, we want AI to enhance the Olympic experience, but it must always be an Olympic experience, even as the definition of the Olympics continues to change over time.
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