United States: Alphabet’s Google announced that it will integrate artificial intelligence into the U.S. broadcast of the Paris Olympics. The collaboration with NBCUniversal and the U.S. Olympic and Paralympic Committee will allow sports commentators to use AI to explain competitions.
Google will become the official search AI partner of Team USA, marking the first partnership between a tech company and the sports nonprofit. The significant move comes as NBCUniversal, the U.S. broadcaster of the Games, seeks to modernize its coverage to attract viewers who prefer digital media over live television.
NBCUniversal plans to launch personalized AI-generated daily recaps narrated by AI versions of famous personalities. During the Olympics, NBCUniversal’s anchors will use Google Search’s AI overviews to answer questions about various sports, such as the significance of pool-lane assignments in swimming.
Google’s AI overviews offer written responses to search queries without requiring users to click on a website link. Comedian Leslie Jones, serving as a commentator in Paris, will use Google’s Gemini AI model to learn new sports and entertain viewers.
The Paris Olympics is set to begin on July 26. Google and NBCU will also utilize Google Lens, Circle to Search, Immersive View in Google Maps, and Gemini to help viewers explore Paris, the host city. With the “One Day in Paris” feature, viewers can follow five Olympians and Paralympians as they visit landmarks like the Eiffel Tower and Roland Garros Stadium, with social videos promoting this content.
Marvin Chow, Google’s vice-president of marketing, stated that, “This collaboration provides an incredible stage to demonstrate how Google’s everyday products, like Search and Maps, along with innovations like Gemini, can help fans explore, learn, and connect with the Games.”