Using AI to find the next Olympic athlete? It’s real!

Senegal, home to about 17 million people, has only medaled once at the Olympic Games—and that was back in 1988. But frequent winners like the US, the UK, and Germany might want to start looking over their shoulders.

Why? Because the Senegalese National Olympic Committee has teamed up with Intel to leverage AI in a groundbreaking way: identifying young athletic talent in rural areas that might have otherwise gone unnoticed. They journeyed to five villages across the West African nation, challenging 1,000 kids with a series of physical tests. Using AI-powered sensors, they pinpointed 40 children with standout potential.

Soon, an app will be available to the public, allowing anyone to see if they have what it takes to be an Olympic superstar. Fans in Paris will get an exclusive preview of the app next month. It’s designed to assess which sports users are naturally inclined towards.

Intel’s also bringing more tech innovations to the upcoming Paris Games, including:

• An AI-powered 3-D scanner to help visually impaired athletes navigate buildings.

• A chatbot that clarifies International Olympic Committee rules and regulations, like which medications are permitted before events.

Even if you're watching from your couch, you’ll benefit from Intel's tech. They’re using AI deep learning to deliver real-time 8k resolution broadcasts.

NBC is also getting in on the AI action. They recently announced they’ll use an AI-generated version of legendary sports broadcaster Al Michaels’ voice to deliver daily recaps and highlights. Initially skeptical, Michaels was impressed after hearing it himself. "Frankly, it was astonishing," he told Vanity Fair. "It was amazing."

So, fitness professionals, keep an eye on this innovative intersection of sports and technology. It’s reshaping the way talent is discovered and how we experience the Olympic Games.

Want to stay ahead of the curve? Sign up for our newsletter at www.tedv.link/newsletter for the latest updates and insights.