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When is the Paris 2024 Olympics? -

The Olympic Games Paris 2024 kicked off in France on July 26 and will end on August 11.

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The "greenest" Games ever? -

The organizers of the Paris 2024 Olympics have vowed that they will be the greenest ever Games, halving the carbon footprint of London 2012 and Rio 2016. 

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The Olympic AI Agenda -

The IOC (International Olympic Committee) launched the Olympic AI Agenda, which involves using artificial intelligence to improve various aspects of the Games. 

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The Olympic AI Agenda -

The Olympic AI Agenda was first introduced during the 2012 London Olympic Games but was officially launched in April 2024.

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The Olympic AI Agenda -

IOC President Thomas Bach said the goal of the initiative is to "set the course for the AI future of sport with responsible leadership by embracing the change while preserving the Olympic values.”

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IOC partners with Intel -

The IOC has partnered with Intel, a technology company, to explore how AI could revolutionize the way sporting talent is identified by creating custom-built technology.

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Custom-built technology -

The IOC, together with Intel, and in partnership with the Senegalese Olympic Committee, were able to identify and nurture future Olympians in Senegal using the cutting-edge technology.

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AI in the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games -

In the 2020 Olympics, broadcasters used AI to provide real-time analytics and enhanced graphics during gymnastics and track and field, giving viewers a deeper understanding of the athletes' performances.

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Training -

Trainers are using AI algorithms to analyze athletes' techniques and improve their training regimes. 

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Training -

Sathiyan Gnanasekaran, one of the leading figures in Indian table tennis, trained with a table tennis robot promoted by the IOC.

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What do the experts say? -

While the brain does respond differently when training with an AI companion, experts like Daniel Ferris, a Ph.D. professor of biomedical engineering, claim that using AI technology could "be better than training against a human opponent."

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Judging -

The Paris 2024 Olympics will utilize advanced technology to track performance more closely than ever before. AI will be used to analyze capabilities too intricate for the human eye, ushering in a new era of judging accuracy.

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Judging Support System -

In 2023, the International Gymnastics Federation (IGF) adopted the new Judging Support System (JSS) to capture and evaluate the movements of gymnastics. The JSS will make its debut at the Paris Olympic Games.

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Broadcasting recaps -

Intel has been developing an Automatic Highlights Generation system capable of automatically compiling key sporting moments into a bespoke highlights reel.

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Broadcasting recaps -

NBC's Peacock service will use AI to recreate the voice of Al Michaels, an American sports broadcaster with over 50 years of industry experience, from 5,000 hours of live coverage. This AI-generated voice will be used to create highlight playlists in the Peacock app.

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Broadcasting tools -

Broadcasting tools will offer an enhanced viewer experience. Multicam replay uses AI to provide the viewer with a 360-degree view of an athlete's performance.

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Timekeeping -

The Olympic Broadcasting Ceremony (OBS) has partnered with luxury watchmaker Omega to improve timekeeping throughout the Games. They will use AI to carry out stroboscopic analysis across sports like beach volleyball and diving.

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Timekeeping -

Omega's AI-tracking system will help viewers better understand the movements and biometrics of athletes and improve reporting accuracy by commentators.

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Safer diving -

In diving, judges can deduct two points for a head that passes the board at an unsafe distance. In the past, it was something of a judgment call, but in the Paris 2024 Olympics, a computerized camera will measure the distance between the head and board.

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Smart bibs -

In the Paris 2024 Olympics, the track and field bibs will contain a sensor that constantly relays data about the runner, such as their stride rate, steps, and position on the track.

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Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra smartphones -

Cutting-edge Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra smartphones will be installed on selected boats during the sailing competitions in Marseille to allow viewers to experience the thrill of the race up close and immerse themselves in the action.

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Energy management -

Chinese internet firm Alibaba Group Holding has deployed its Energy Expert, a tool that measures and analyzes power usage at all 35 locations across Paris during the Olympics. It will produce venue-specific forecasts and recommendations based on real-time power consumption data.

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AI chatbot -

The IOC created an AI chatbot to make information readily accessible to athletes. The platform will provide quick answers to frequently asked questions on topics like social media guidelines and anti-doping rules.

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Social media -

The IOC designed an AI-powered monitoring system to protect athletes from online abuse. It will monitor hundreds of thousands of social media accounts and flag any potentially abusive messages.

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Surveillance -

Surveillance will be used to improve the safety of Paris 2024 Olympics' attendees. AI-powered cameras will automatically flag potential security threats.

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Surveillance -

AI isn't usually permitted in French surveillance activities, but a law was passed in March 2023 that allows the use of AI security in large-scale events, such as the Olympics.

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The problems with AI surveillance -

Some argue that there are issues with how the surveillance systems function and are being used. It raises questions such as what is done with the data after it's collected, and who has access to it? Is France permitting and supporting private companies to test and train AI software on its citizens?

Sources: (Olympics) (Tech.co) (NY Times) (South China Morning Post)

See also: Demystifying AI: a beginner's guide to understanding artificial intelligence

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