Implementing artificial intelligence in sport is the next big challenge facing the International Olympic Committee. This was stated by the President of the Bulgarian Shooting Union and member of the IOC Public Affairs and Corporate Communications Commission Vessela Letcheva, who was a guest of the “Arena Sport” programme on BNT. This week the Commission had a meeting.
“We had a fruitful meeting, discussing for more than 3 and a half hours the Olympic Games in Paris, the main challenges and problems. The election of a new IOC President will also take place in the spring. The Commission members thanked Thomas Bach for the successful years the International Olympic Committee has had in his two mandates,” noted Vessela Letcheva. According to her, Bach has managed to preserve the independence of the IOC in difficult political times, as well as increase interest in the Olympic Games, even though the world was blocked by a epidemic for several years.
Speaking to BNT, the TV station that broadcast the Games live in Paris, the former sports minister said that the biggest sporting event had been extremely successful in many aspects and the results of the live broadcasts and the interest on all media platforms were proof of that.
“In terms of interest, atmosphere, sports facilities and most of all the wonderful audience, Paris has set the bar very high. In media terms, we have more than 2.7 million Olympic-themed posts, 12 billion social media posts, TV ratings are also breaking records,” said Letcheva.
One of the key policies for the IOC in the future will be the development of artificial intelligence.
“Sport is moving forward at a tremendous pace. It’s not moving, it’s sprinting. New technologies, digitalisation are the themes of today. As for artificial intelligence, which is entering every sector of our lives, the IOC has already commented on how it can be actively involved in development and deployment. The IOC will not hinder progress, but encourage it. But provided that emotion and fair play are maintained. And here the theme of solidarity remains the leading one. We have countries that are more technologically prepared than others that cannot afford it and this can put athletes at a disadvantage. The Olympic Committee will ensure that every single athlete has access to technology, regardless of the country they come from. But in Bulgaria we are not even talking about this. So I think the earlier this discussion starts, the better. We have to admit that at the moment most of our coaches are still working with notebooks, and in some places even they are missing,” Letcheva added.
