The International Olympic Committee (IOC) has announced plans to utilize artificial intelligence (AI) technology to protect athletes and officials from cyberabuse during the upcoming Paris Olympics. President Thomas Bach outlined the initiative, highlighting the need to address potential online harassment amidst global geopolitical tensions.

With the Games scheduled to commence on July 26th and featuring more than 10,500 athletes across 32 sports, the IOC anticipates a substantial volume of social media interactions, estimated to exceed half a billion engagements throughout the event. The AI-based safeguarding tool aims to monitor and automatically remove abusive posts directed at the 15,000 participants.

In addition to preparing for the logistical challenges posed by the Games, including the participation of Russian and Belarusian athletes under neutral status, the IOC’s focus on cybersecurity underscores its commitment to ensuring a safe and respectful environment for all competitors. Specific details regarding the operational aspects of the AI monitoring, including access to athletes’ social media accounts, have not been disclosed.

Amidst political developments in France, including upcoming snap parliamentary elections, Bach expressed confidence that these events would not detract from the preparations or the smooth conduct of the Olympics. He emphasized the collective effort to showcase France positively during this global sporting event.

The International Olympic Committee (IOC) anticipates an influx of social media activity, with projections of around 500 million posts related to the Games. This massive volume is beyond human moderation capabilities.

To address this, the IOC is deploying this AI tool to:

• Flag and delete abusive posts across over 35 languages, safeguarding 15,000 athletes and organizers from online harassment.
• Aid researchers in understanding the prevalence of abuse and its impact on athletes’ well-being.
• Pioneer the use of AI on this scale to protect athletes.

The deployment of AI technology represents a proactive step by the IOC to mitigate the risks associated with online abuse, reflecting its ongoing efforts to protect athletes’ well-being and uphold the integrity of the Olympic Games. As the countdown to the Paris Olympics continues, the IOC remains committed to ensuring a successful and secure competition for all participants.

Source: Reuters