Bach stresses benefits of AI in new Olympic strategy reveal
LONDON: International Olympic Committee President Thomas Bach introduced the Olympic AI Agenda in London, asserting that artificial intelligence (AI) holds transformative potential for athletes worldwide.
Speaking at Olympic Park, Bach emphasized the need for the Olympic movement to pioneer change amid the burgeoning global AI revolution.
“In sport, the performances will always have to be delivered by the athletes,” Bach stated, underscoring AI’s role in enhancing, rather than replacing, human performance. He stressed AI’s capacity to identify talent globally and democratize training methods, stating, “AI can help to identify athletes and talent in every corner of the world.”
Moreover, Bach envisioned AI contributing to fairer judging, enhanced safety measures, and an improved spectator experience at Olympic events, stating, “AI can provide more athletes with access to personalized training methods, superior sports equipment, and more individualized programs to stay fit and healthy.”
The Olympic AI Agenda emerged from the IOC AI working group, comprising AI experts and athletes, established in the preceding year. Bach addressed potential concerns regarding AI, emphasizing the importance of preserving athletes’ freedom of choice in their sporting pursuits.
“A guy who is then maybe identified as a great athlete in wrestling must still have the chance to play tennis and cannot be sorted out from these sports,” Bach emphasized, highlighting the importance of athletes retaining autonomy in deciding their athletic paths, regardless of AI-driven talent identification.
Former Olympic skiing champion Lindsey Vonn, also present at the event, expressed admiration for AI’s potential to augment athletes’ training and performance.
“I’m very jealous that I didn’t have any of this technology when I was racing because I just really feel that it’s going to enhance the athlete’s experience all around,” Vonn remarked, highlighting the transformative impact of AI on athlete development.
Vonn emphasized the accessibility of AI tools through smartphones, enabling talent identification and resource allocation in underserved communities. She envisioned AI as a tool to optimize athletes’ understanding of their bodies, sports, and performance, ultimately enabling them to adapt and excel in their athletic endeavors.
