Alibaba Cloud has provided details of its role in Paris 2024’s viewing experience.
Driving multiple initiatives at the Games, the digital and technology division of Alibaba Group collaborated with the IOC (International Olympic Committee) to launch a cloud-based Media Archiving AI Solution. Delivering visual search functions and automatic categorisation of multimedia content, the solution enabled automatic video highlight generation aimed at assisting users with content storytelling. The company’s proprietary AI algorithm also enabled streamlined searching of the Olympic content archive, optimising delivery workflows.
Selina Yuan, president of international business at Alibaba Cloud Intelligence, said: “We are thrilled to support the IOC’s AI Agenda, which was inaugurated in April this year. Our cloud-based AI initiatives are designed to help transform the experience for media professionals and the global followers of the Olympic Games. We remain committed to delivering our innovations that help make the Olympic Games more efficient, engaging sustainable and inclusive for all stakeholders.”
OBS Cloud, a collaboration between Alibaba Cloud and Olympic Broadcasting Services (OBS), provided 360-degree, frame-freeze, slow-motion replays during Paris 2024. Footage was sent to the cloud where AI technologies enabled live spatial reconstruction and real-time 3D rendering, delivering replay content made available to rights holders via the OBS Content+ platform. Thousands of clips were produced across a range of sports including basketball, gymnastics, tennis, beach volleyball and rugby sevens.
Commenting on the collaboration, OBS CEO, Yiannis Exarchos, said: “Technologies like Alibaba Cloud’s technologies help us tell the stories of the best athletes in the world, and also the stories of the world coming together in ways which are more exciting and more inspirational. Having partners like Alibaba that help us bring this dream to life are very valuable for us.”
Alibaba Cloud also helped in the restoration and colourisation of footage from the Paris 1924 Olympic Games, also using its colourisation technology to produce an 8-minute film to highlight the evolution of gender equality in sport. To The Greatness of Her was showcased at the Alibaba Evening in Paris.
Cloud-based intelligence and deep-learning AI models were also deployed to provide venue specific forecasting for power demand, helping to minimise power wastage and contributing to sustainability goals.
