AI in July: 2024 Paris Olympics Embrace AI
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AI Al Michaels Narrates Olympic Highlights
NBC has introduced an innovative feature for the 2024 Paris Olympics: AI Al Michaels. This AI-generated voice of the legendary sportscaster will narrate personalized daily highlights for viewers on Peacock. Starting July 27, viewers can visit Peacock's Olympic hub to opt into personalized highlights by selecting up to three favorite sports and preferred topics, such as behind-the-scenes stories and top competitions. The AI technology will then create tailored 10-minute highlight packages from over 5,000 hours of live coverage. Michaels, initially skeptical, was convinced after seeing a demonstration of the technology, saying, "I’m in." NBC estimates it will create around 7 million variations of these highlight packages. The Paris Olympics begin on July 24, with the opening ceremony on July 26 and the closing ceremony on August 11.
AI Enhances Olympic Security
AI will play a crucial role in ensuring the safety of the estimated 15 million people expected in Paris for the Games. France will use AI-enhanced algorithmic video surveillance to monitor Olympic sites, tracking crowd movements and detecting unusual patterns of behavior. Mathieu Zagrodzki from CESDIP, a criminal justice research center at the University of Versailles, explained, “If there’s a person moving in the opposite way of a crowd or standing in a single location for quite a while, it generates an alarm.” This technology aims to alert operators to potential security threats, providing a safer environment for attendees.
Google's Gemini AI in Olympic Coverage
Google's Gemini AI will enhance NBC's coverage of the Paris Olympics through a partnership with NBCUniversal and the U.S. Olympic and Paralympic Committee. Commentators will use Gemini AI to answer detailed questions about the Games, such as the importance of lane assignments in swimming. Comedian Leslie Jones will use the AI to learn new sports and entertain viewers. Additionally, Olympians will explore Paris using Google Lens and other AI tools, offering unique insights into the host city.
AthleteGPT: AI Support for Athletes
Intel, in collaboration with the International Olympic Committee (IOC), has developed AthleteGPT, a chatbot powered by Intel Gaudi accelerators and Xeon processors. This AI platform will assist athletes with queries, helping them navigate the venue and comply with rules efficiently. Justin Hotard from Intel stated, “We are demonstrating our dedication to making AI accessible and pushing the boundaries of what’s possible with our customers.” Intel's processors will also power 8K resolution live streaming, providing fans with high-definition experiences across the 32 sporting events.
