How broadcasters are using AI at the Olympics

This contrast reflects how global media companies are considering using AI technology in covering the Paris 2024 Olympics.

NBCUniversal is exploring broadcasting the Olympics to American audiences using a number of AI technologies, including recreating the voice of a legendary sports commentator. Meanwhile, for Warner Bros. Discovery' sports division in Europe, this technology is still too new for roles such as sports commentary.

Warner Bros. Discovery, the company that will stream the Olympics across Europe, received demo translations from technology companies into various languages, but these demos lacked the emotion typically felt in thrilling sporting moments, according to Scott Young, senior vice president at Warner Bros. Discovery Sports Europe.

"All parts of the demo seem to have translated the words correctly, but it hasn't conveyed the right emotions," he said.

For example, when Italian sprinter Marcell Jacobs stunned the world by winning the gold medal in the men's 100-meter race in Tokyo, the Italian commentators cheered, creating an authentic moment that "brought the story to life," Young said. "It's very difficult to automatically create that."

A panoramic view from inside the Trocadero Square during the opening ceremony of the Paris 2024 Olympic Games, July 26. Photo: USA TODAY Sports

Meanwhile, American viewers will get to experience AI while watching the Olympics on NBC or the Peacock streaming service thanks to a new partnership between NBCUniversal, Google, and Team USA.

AI-enhanced Google Maps imagery of Olympic venues will help viewers get a feel for Paris, while NBC's presenters will be able to answer questions about the competition using Google's AI search.

NBCUniversal will also use AI to create personalized daily summaries of Olympic events, narrated in the recreated voice of sports commentator Al Michaels.

NBCUniversal says it can generate nearly 7 million different daily summaries throughout the duration of the Paris Olympics. The media company holds the broadcasting rights for the Games and has paid $7.65 billion to broadcast the world's biggest sporting event until 2032.

Olympic Broadcasting Services, a content-neutral production unit that can be used by media companies worldwide, is also applying AI to help quickly cut large amounts of footage into concise highlights, but they are also wary of the risks of deepfakes.

With the rapid development of AI capabilities, it may not be long before European sports fans see more of this technology.

Young said, "Perhaps we only need one more Summer Olympics to see the real impact." The next Summer Olympics will be the Los Angeles 2028 Olympics.

Ngoc Anh (according to Reuters)

Source: https://www.congluan.vn/cach-cac-dai-truyen-hinh-su-dung-ai-tai-olympic-paris-post305171.html