At the 2024 Paris Olympics, the influence of AI is prominent across various sports disciplines. Diving champions Quan Hongchan and Chen Yuxi utilize the Baidu AI Diving Assistance Training System to refine their techniques, perfecting their body movements and entry timing. Meanwhile, the Chinese national sailing team relies on Lenovo's built-in AI personal assistant “Xiao Tian” to create tailored training plans and analyze body movements and trajectories, enhancing overall training efficacy.
Technologies like big data analytics and virtual reality (VR) are deeply integrated into athletes' training and rehabilitation, supporting performance analysis, competition predictions, smart refereeing, athlete health monitoring, tactical analysis, and simulated competitions. Moreover, during the Olympics, the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) employs AI for drug testing to ensure fair play.
AI-driven technology from Alibaba Cloud has also transformed officiating, particularly in diving. AI cameras capture athletes' actions in real-time, aiding judges in making more precise decisions. Additionally, Jiangsu Huai'an's Dingqi Sports has incorporated smart chips into soccer balls to record contact data at 500 times per second, providing accurate data for the Video Assistant Referee (VAR) system.
The broadcasting of the Paris Olympics is undergoing significant changes, with Alibaba Cloud, as the official cloud services partner, facilitating a shift from satellite broadcasting to cloud-based streaming. This transition leverages AI-enhanced technologies, including multi-camera replay systems and 3D reconstruction, to offer spectators a completely new viewing experience. For the first time, the Olympics will feature AI-driven slow-motion replay cameras in 14 venues, covering 21 sports, allowing viewers to appreciate event details from various angles, almost as if time stands still.
Another Chinese company, SenseTime, is enhancing event broadcasting with its “InnoMotion” smart broadcasting solution, developed in collaboration with Shanghai Oriental Media Technology Co., Ltd. Focused on sports like table tennis and archery, this system employs advanced visual models and multi-camera motion capture to deliver intelligent highlights, real-time data analytics, and enhanced broadcasting capabilities.
In table tennis, the proprietary motion capture technology from SenseTime can analyze ball spin and trajectory in real-time, integrating with augmented reality (AR) visualization systems and slow-motion replays for a clearer understanding of the athlete's performance. The technology captures data without the need for wearable devices, enabling efficient tracking of fast-moving targets like table tennis balls and arrows.
As the Olympic preparations unfold, logistical challenges arise, particularly in setting up and testing equipment. SenseTime’s team successfully navigated these complexities, ensuring accurate and timely deployment of systems. During the Games, the company will also offer interactive experiences for viewers, including customizable Olympic-themed photos and personalized event calendars.
According to SenseTime's CEO, Xu Li, the fusion of AI and sports represents a significant potential direction for future developments. The creativity of generative AI enriches sports content and enhances training through advanced analytics and tactical assessments, thus improving athletes' performance and training efficiency.
Lenovo is also embracing AI in sports. For the national sailing team, the ThinkPad T14pAI, equipped with the intelligent assistant “Xiao Tian,” assists coaches in creating custom training plans and analyzes athletes’ motions during training sessions.
Thomas Bach, President of the International Olympic Committee, views AI as a game-changer for personalized training, enhancing sports equipment, and significantly improving the organization of sporting events, creating more immersive and personalized viewer experiences. The Paris Olympics signals a transformative era, hinting at unprecedented opportunities and changes in the sports industry as AI continues to reshape the landscape.
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