As the Paris 2024 Olympics approach, get ready to experience the groundbreaking synergy between cutting-edge technology and athletic excellence. While we often think of technology powering everyday services and businesses, its role behind the scenes of large-scale events like the Olympics is equally transformative. AI-driven performance analytics, immersive viewing experiences, and state-of-the-art security systems come together to create an unforgettable spectacle. The Paris 2024 Olympics promises to be just that—a grand convergence of sport and innovative technologies.
AI and Automation
Transforming Sport and the Olympic Games with AI
The IOC has defined a strategic goal to leverage AI effectively across five key focus areas:
- Supporting athletes, clean competition, and safe Sport: AI will monitor athletes' health, prevent injuries, and ensure clean and safe competition.
- Ensuring equal access to the benefits of AI: The IOC is committed to making AI technologies accessible to all stakeholders within the Olympic Movement.
- Optimising Olympic and Paralympic Games operations with a focus on sustainability: AI will enhance the efficiency and sustainability of the Games, from energy management to operational planning.
- Growing engagement with people: AI-driven innovations will enhance the fan experience through personalised and immersive content.
- Driving efficiency across the management of the IOC and sport: AI will streamline various management processes within the IOC and sports organisations.
The Future of AI in Sports Media
AI will reshape sports media by enhancing live event production and delivering richer content to audiences including:
- Generating stats and context: AI analyses real-time data to generate relevant statistics and insights.
- Providing context to presenters: AI supplies real-time context during live broadcasts.
- Creating a comprehensive narrative: AI highlights key moments and tracks performances.
Enhancing the Viewer Experience with the Paris 2024 App
The Paris 2024 Olympics will revolutionise audience engagement through advanced technologies, offering an unprecedented viewing experience. Here's how the official Paris 2024 app will elevate the event for fans worldwide:
Personalised Content
AI algorithms will play a significant role in making the games more accessible and enjoyable:
- Auto-clipping content: Automatically generate highlight reels tailored to individual preferences.
- Real-time captions and translations: Provide real-time captions and translations to cater to a diverse audience.
Immersive Technologies
Virtual reality (VR) and augmented reality (AR) will bring fans closer to the action:
- Over 15 unique AR experiences: Available through the app, Snapchat, and at competition venues in Paris.
- Historical interaction: Step back to the 1924 Olympics.
- Mascot interaction: Interact with the official mascot.
- Real-time records: View real-time Olympic records at iconic landmarks.
App Features
The redesigned official Paris 2024 app includes several spectator-specific features:
- Customisable schedules: Tailor schedules to personal preferences.
- Medal tables and results: Access up-to-date medal tables and competition results.
- Live blogs and interactive maps: Stay informed with live updates and interactive venue maps.
- Session management: Manage ticketed and non-ticketed sessions.
- Event exploration: Discover must-see events at official venues and fan zones.
By integrating AI and immersive technologies, the Paris 2024 app aims to deliver a comprehensive, personalised, and engaging viewer experience. This ensures that fans around the globe can enjoy the Olympics in innovative and exciting ways.
Digital Engagement Platforms
Fans will have numerous ways to engage with the Olympic Games Paris 2024 through various digital platforms:
Cyber Security
With the scale and connectivity of the Paris 2024 Olympics, robust cyber security measures are critical to protecting sensitive information, maintaining public safety, and ensuring smooth operations.
Learning from Past Olympics
During the 2020 Tokyo Olympics, approximately 450 million cyberattack attempts were recorded, highlighting the significant cyber security challenges faced by the event. These attacks encompassed various methods, including Emotet malware, email spoofing, phishing, fake websites, and attempts on critical infrastructure such as 5G networks. Despite the high volume, the cyber security measures implemented by the NTT Corporation successfully prevented significant damage.[1]
Advanced Security Strategies
For Paris 2024, organisers are deploying advanced threat detection systems and improving incident response protocols. They’re also leveraging insights and strategies developed during the Tokyo Games to further bolster their cyber security defences. Cyber awareness programs for all stakeholders are a priority to ensure robust protection against potential cyber threats.
Key Security Concerns
Ensuring the safety and security of the Games involves addressing a multitude of complex challenges. Key concerns include:
- Terrorism, cyber security breaches, crime, and public safety: The threat of terrorism necessitates extensive security measures to protect venues, athletes, and spectators. Cyber security breaches pose significant risks, including potential attacks on critical infrastructure, data theft, and service disruptions. Additionally, general crime and public safety issues, such as theft and crowd control, need to be addressed to ensure a safe environment for all.
- Civil unrest and demonstrations: Large-scale events often become focal points for civil unrest and demonstrations. Organisers must prepare for potential protests and ensure they do not escalate into violent confrontations, maintaining order and security while respecting the right to peaceful assembly.
- Environmental and health risks: The health and safety of participants and spectators can be threatened by environmental hazards, such as extreme weather, and health risks, including infectious diseases. Comprehensive plans must be in place to mitigate these risks, including emergency response protocols and health monitoring systems.
- Traveller vulnerability: With over 15 million tourists expected to visit Paris for the Games, travellers face heightened vulnerability to cybercriminal activities. It is crucial for tourists to adopt robust security measures, such as using strong, unique passwords, enabling two-factor authentication, and being cautious of public Wi-Fi networks. Organisers and local authorities must provide clear guidelines and support to help tourists protect their digital identities during their stay.
Addressing these multifaceted challenges requires a comprehensive approach that incorporates advanced security measures, effective communication, and detailed contingency planning.
Battling AI-Powered Cyber Attacks
As AI technology advances, cybercriminals increasingly leverage it to execute sophisticated attacks, making high-profile events like the Olympics prime targets. Some emerging threats include:
- Combating deepfakes: AI-generated fake content can spread misinformation quickly, posing significant risks during high-profile events. For instance, deepfake videos could be used to create false statements from athletes or officials, leading to confusion and potential reputational damage.
- Preventing synthetic identity fraud: Cybercriminals use AI to create fake identities by merging real and fabricated details, threatening financial security. The massive influx of online activities, including ticket purchases, travel bookings, and digital interactions, provides fertile ground for such fraudulent activities.[2]
Staying ahead of these threats involves continuously evolving security measures and leveraging advanced AI technologies to detect and mitigate risks.
Infrastructure
Setting New Standards in Infrastructure
The Paris 2024 Olympics are pioneering new levels of infrastructure and sustainability, setting benchmarks that will influence future global sporting events. Here are the key initiatives:
- Enhanced International Standards: The ISO 20121 Event Sustainability Management Systems Standard has been updated to include impact and legacy, human rights, climate action, and accessibility. This revised standard aids organizations in integrating sustainability throughout the event management cycle, setting a new requirement for all Olympic Games Organising Committees.
- Environmental and economic initiatives: The aim is to cut its carbon footprint by 50% compared to previous Games. This includes sustainable construction, renewable energy use, prioritising renting over buying, and minimising waste. Expanded bike lanes and public transport options further reduce the event's environmental impact.
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- Efficient planning through digital twinning: AI applications like digital twinning enhance planning by monitoring real-time energy consumption and using digital venue representations to anticipate power needs, camera placements, and accessibility issues.
- Comprehensive impact assessment: In collaboration with the OECD, Paris 2024 has guidelines to monitor and evaluate the social, economic, and environmental impacts, ensuring future hosts can enhance their legacy impact.
- Promoting active lifestyles and inclusivity: The Terre de Jeux program has inspired over 50,000 sports-related projects. The IOC and Deloitte support cities applying for the Ville Active et Sportive label, and Paris 2024 has achieved gender equality in athlete quotas.
- Long-term legacy: By collaborating with the OECD and implementing a sustainable management system, Paris 2024 aims to transform communities and enhance social inclusion, leaving lasting benefits.[3]
These initiatives make Paris 2024 a model for sustainable, inclusive, and impactful global sporting events.
Securing the Future: Paris 2024 and Beyond
The Paris 2024 Olympics highlight the critical role of cyber security and AI in protecting large-scale events. As AI technology advances, staying ahead of threats involves continuously evolving security measures and leveraging advanced AI technologies to detect and mitigate risks.
Ensure your organisation is equally safeguarded with advanced cyber security and AI automation services. The Missing Link offers AI-powered threat detection, real-time monitoring, and automated responses to defend against evolving threats. Whether you’re hosting a large-scale event or running a business, robust cyber security measures are essential.
Don't wait for a breach— contact us today to secure your digital assets and maintain robust defences.
References
[1] https://www.techradar.com/news/tokyo-2020-olympics-suffered-half-a-billion-attempted-cyberattacks
[2] https://www.securitymagazine.com/articles/100782-top-cyber-threats-targeting-the-paris-olympics
[3] https://olympics.com/ioc/news/ai-and-tech-innovations-at-paris-2024-a-game-changer-in-sport
