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| Image Credit: IOC |
With the Paris 2024 Olympic and Paralympic Games just a few months away, the International Olympic Committee (IOC) has unveiled its ambitious "AI agenda," promising to make these games the most technologically advanced in history.
IOC President Thomas Bach introduced a range of AI-powered services and tools designed to enhance the effectiveness and efficiency of the Paris 2024 Games, which kick off on July 26.
IOC AI Agenda Unveiled:
"Today, we take another step to ensure the uniqueness of the Olympic Games and the relevance of sport. To achieve this, we must be leaders of change, not objects of change," Bach declared at the IOC AI Agenda launch event in London.
Bach highlighted the rapid development of digital technology, particularly AI, stating this event marks the first time an overall AI strategy has been crafted for a major sporting event.
In contrast to other sectors grappling with AI's potential to replace human roles, Bach emphasized that in sports, "the performance will always have to be delivered by the athlete." This allows the IOC to focus on leveraging AI to support athletes.
Intel, a global partner of the IOC, is pivotal in advancing these AI capabilities, collaborating with organizers to enhance fan engagement worldwide.
Innovative AI Applications:
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| Image Credit: IOC |
Among the innovations is an immersive sports experience available at several Olympic venues in Paris. Fans can compare their performances to those of Olympic athletes, powered by AI applications trained on Intel's Gaudi accelerators and running on Xeon processors with built-in AI acceleration, including Intel's OpenVINO AI Platform Experience.
Intel is also helping to preserve the legacy of the Olympic Games by converting archival videos into 3D digital artifacts accessible at the Olympic Museum. Using a solution developed by Intel’s Emergent AI Lab, these videos are transformed through neural object cloning, offering fans a virtually "hands-on" experience.
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| Image Credit: Intel |
Additionally, Intel hardware will be essential in the IOC's broadcast efforts. Xeon-powered broadcast servers will encode and compress live TV signals at 8K/60FPS/HDR within milliseconds. This high-quality feed can be distributed globally in seconds, ensuring an unprecedented level of livestreaming quality.
"The heart of AI is compute," said Christoph Schell, EVP and CCO of Intel, at the launch event, "and Intel is bringing AI everywhere."
Bach acknowledged the opportunities and risks presented by AI but emphasized the IOC's commitment to embracing AI's full potential. "We are determined to exploit the vast potential of AI," he stated.
"The IOC aims to set the course for the AI future of sport," Bach concluded, "with responsible leadership, by embracing change while preserving the Olympic values."