By Mark Kawalya
This year’s Paris 2024 Olympics Games not only celebrated athletic excellence but also showcased technological advancements. This included fields like cloud computing, artificial intelligence (AI), and sustainability. These technologies were instrumental in making the global sporting events a success. Here is a look at the key technologies that shaped the Paris 2024 Olympics.
Cloud Broadcasting
There was a shift from traditional satellite broadcasting to cloud-based solutions. For the first time in Olympic history, live broadcasts was distributed primarily through cloud computing. Alibaba Cloud, the cloud computing arm of Alibaba Group, partnered with Olympic Broadcasting Services (OBS) to deploy a robust cloud infrastructure. This cloud broadcasting system supported an unprecedented 11,000 hours of live content, a 15% increase from the Tokyo 2020 Olympics. It was accessible in over 200 countries and regions, ensuring extensive global coverage. The system handled 379 video streams and 100 audio streams, providing broadcasters the flexibility to adapt to real-time events, such as unexpected athlete performances or weather changes.
AI-Driven Innovations
AI technologies were deployed to further enhance the viewing experience. A multi-camera replay system was deployed across 14 venues, allowing dynamic replays of key moments in sports like athletics, badminton, and beach volleyball. This system used AI to analyze footage in real-time, delivering immersive “bullet time” effects that engage viewers more deeply than traditional broadcasts.
Sustainability Initiatives
Sustainability was at a core focus for the Paris 2024 Olympics. The aim was to halve the carbon footprint compared to previous games. Alibaba Cloud’s “Energy Expert” was instrumental in this, playing a crucial role by monitoring and optimizing energy consumption across all 35 competition venues.
Historical Content Restoration
Besides live broadcasts, the Paris 2024 Olympics uses AI for historical content restoration. Footage from the 1924 Paris Olympics was enhanced and colorized, allowing audiences to experience the past anew.
This initiative was a means of bringing to life the Olympic legacy and highlights modern AI technologies’ capabilities in reviving historical events.
Future Implications
The technological advancements at the Paris 2024 Olympics are setting new standards for future large-scale sporting events. Cloud broadcasting enhances the viewer experience while reducing costs and the logistical challenges associated with traditional methods. The flexibility and scalability of cloud solutions ensure more dynamic and responsive coverage, allowing audiences to capture pivotal moments.
