Google introduces AI enhancements for US broadcast of Paris Olympics

Google partners with NBCUniversal to bring AI-powered insights to the US coverage of the Paris 2024 Olympics

Alphabet's (GOOGL.O) Google will infuse artificial intelligence into the US broadcast of the Paris Olympics, allowing sports commentators to use AI to explain competitions, the tech company said on Thursday alongside NBCUniversal and the US Olympic and Paralympic Committee.

Google will be named the official search AI partner of Team USA, marking the first time a tech company has partnered with the sports nonprofit, the three organisations said in a statement.

The announcement comes as NBCUniversal, which broadcasts the Games in the US, is modernising its coverage to attract audiences who do not watch live television and young viewers who have grown up accustomed to watching clips online.

The Comcast-owned (CMCSA.O) media company previously said it would launch personalised AI-generated daily recaps of the competition that will be narrated by AI versions of people such as sports commentator Al Michaels.

During daytime and primetime coverage of the Olympics, NBCUniversal's anchors will use Google Search's AI overviews to answer questions about some sports, such as the importance of pool-lane assignments in swimming competitions.

Google's AI overviews provide written responses to search queries without the need to click a website link.

Comedian Leslie Jones, who will serve as a commentator in Paris, will use Google's Gemini AI model to learn new sports and entertain viewers, the companies said.

The Paris Olympics begin July 26.