IOC implements "agenda" for the use of AI in sporting events. In Brazil, Globo tests machine learning and virtual reality in broadcast studio
The Paris Olympics are just beginning, but there is already a big gold medalist: artificial intelligence. The technology will be present at various points in the broadcast and at the venues where the competitions will take place.
The International Olympic Committee (IOC) will use the technology in a variety of areas, from protecting against abuse on social media to creating videos in multiple formats and languages. The highlight, however, will be systems for biometric analysis of athletes and graphic recognition in stadiums.
The cameras from the official timing sponsor, Omega , will do more than just accurately indicate the milliseconds that the athletes have clocked. The devices feature computer vision, capable of recognizing and analyzing certain movements. Even underwater, it will be possible to calculate each stroke and distance of the swimmers.
With generative AI, the data collected can be turned into performance graphs for the audience. The technology will also help the audience – and broadcast teams – understand in real time what is happening in longer competitions, such as sailing, triathlon and marathon swimming.
PARIS, RJ In France, the IOC uses Alibaba technology to deploy multi-camera replay systems that use AI. All channels broadcasting the games have had access to this from the start.
With a virtual studio located in the middle of the Eiffel Tower, Globo took the lead in the Olympic broadcasting marathon with AI. The broadcaster spent two years developing its own virtual studio technology, with which it modeled Paris in a hyper-real way – and in real time. The studio has 150 square meters of 8K resolution screens. In a circular shape, it resembles the Las Vegas Sphere. And, in fact, it is more than just a resemblance – it was inspired. The machine learning technology that gives the image resolution and the ability to be "animated" in real time is the same as that which operates in the Vegas show house.
According to TV Globo's post-production and design director, Fernando Alonso, the idea was not to replicate Paris, but to create "our own Paris, where we can have control." Using commands on a tablet, the studio's production team can change the sky of the virtual city of lights, as well as add lights or posters to buildings. It is possible to change the camera angle and, also in real time, add clouds, rain or sunsets.
This ability to customize the location and adapt quickly allows each program to have its own visual identity. It's almost like post-production, only live. And it can also be seen by those inside the studio.
Alonso says the team conducted research at Hollywood studios, where this type of technology is also being developed to support the work of actors and directors in films that use the famous "blue screen."
It all started at the Tokyo Olympics, says Globo's sports content director, Renato Ribeiro. "We were forced to be creative and efficient in Tokyo. Because of the pandemic, we couldn't send many people. So, we started to create different ways to do the virtual studio."
Another detail about Globo's Paris is that it received a "push" from Fortnite. Yes, the company that created the famous online game also owns Unreal Engine , a 3D virtual reality creation platform.
Coincidentally, Unreal Engine was used by French experts to restore the interior of Notre-Dame Cathedral after the fire that affected the Parisian icon in 2019.
Alonso says the network used Fortnite's tool as a basis for developing the AI platform. To it, the Globo team added climate, weather and time zone data, creating a way to predict how Paris will behave during the Olympic Games.
AI OLYMPIC AGENDA
In April, the IOC signed a commitment called the " Olympic AI Agenda ," which not only addresses artificial intelligence for broadcasting in 2024, but also for strengthening the future of Olympic sport. During the presentation of the document, IOC President Thomas Bach explained that the technology could be used to find future gold medalists.
"AI can help identify athletes and talents in every corner of the world. It can provide personalized training methods, superior sports equipment and individualized programs to keep athletes healthy," Bach said.
3D cameras used to capture athletes’ movements, for example, will provide coaches with biomechanical insights , improving their performance. Some believe that such technologies will lead to even more intense competitions and new records.
Now, AI will always have Paris.
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