IOC launches Olympics AI agenda to transform sports through data, technology

The International Olympic Committee (IOC) on Friday unveiled the Olympic AI Agenda at Lee Valley VeloPark in London, marking the first comprehensive strategy by the Olympic Movement to implement artificial intelligence in sports.

The agenda aims to harness AI across various aspects of the Olympics and Paralympics, enhancing athlete support, competition integrity, and operational efficiency.

In an interview with China Global Television Network, IOC President Thomas Bach emphasized AI's potential to transform sports through data and technology.

"Sport has always been about data; you have results, you have timing, it is one. And the Olympic Games always have and also been milestones in technological development. If you look at broadcasting for instance. But this relationship will now even get closer, because AI is offering so many opportunities to each individual. It is really hard to imagine at this moment in time where this will end," Bach said.

During the event, experts from sports, technology, business, and academia discussed AI's practical applications, focusing on its impact on training, competition, and spectator experiences. Technologies such as wearables with sensors could revolutionize training and event management, enhancing the experience for athletes and fans alike.

Five-time Olympic gymnastics champion Nadia Comaneci highlighted AI's role in refining sports judging, while maintaining human elements crucial for complex decisions.

"I think AI will help, definitely. I don't think we'll be able to eliminate the human judging. Gymnastics is very complex. I think that there are many skills in a code of points that how many twists you do in the air, if the landing was right in the right angle, if the space where you land, where is it, and how many deductions, how many tenths you take when you go out? So that will help at the beginning, because every sport, every federation, together with AI, they need to build something together to help and speed up the judging, but also be sure that doesn't overstep too fast, and go with the base and grow from there," Comaneci explained.

Deloitte's report valuing the sports analytics market at 4 billion U.S. dollars, underscoring the economic implications of AI in sports, pointing to its potential to boost advertising and sponsorships.

The IOC aims for the AI agenda to set a precedent for future Olympic Games, positioning the Olympics not just as a sporting event but as a forward-looking global enterprise.

IOC launches Olympics AI agenda to transform sports through data, technology

Customers in Shanghai are flooding back to brick and mortar stores to upgrade their home appliances thanks to advances in energy efficiency and the availability of subsidies offered by local government, home appliance brands and retailers.

A store in Shanghai's downtown Changning District has welcomed an average of 2,800 customers on a daily basis in recent days.

Labels on some home appliances show that customers have access to a 10 percent subsidy as long as the products they buy are energy efficient.

"With this 10-percent subsidy, I decided to make offline purchase at this store. It's cheaper after all," said one customer.

This 10 percent subsidy is offered by the Shanghai government to boost consumption.

Retailers are also offering subsidies, further driving up consumption.

"If a customer is buying a product with grade one energy label, while at the same time has an old machine for replacement, the customer can enjoy a 10 percent subsidy from the government. And our platform and the manufacturer together offer a 10 percent subsidy for trade-in goods. And we are also offering an additional seven to eight percent subsidy for sets, and a five percent subsidy for single items. So the customer can generally get a 35 to 40 percent subsidy," said Yang Xu, procurement and sales manager with a Shanghai branch of China's e-commerce giant JD.com.

Noticeably, people are willing to buy more products, especially more high-end models.

"Things are now cheaper. So I have money left for high-end products. I've spent 20,000 yuan (about 2,764 U.S. dollars) here. In the past, I would not choose a refrigerator of more than 13,000 yuan (about 1796 U.S. dollars). I would only buy one with half its price. And I was not planning to buy a TV. But now, I've decided to buy one," said one customer.

Boosting consumption is just one upside of such trade-in programs. Replacing old machines with more energy efficient models also aligns with the country's carbon reduction goals.

China has pledged to achieve peak carbon emissions by 2030, and carbon neutrality by 2060.

Home appliances trade-in programs boost consumption, protect environment