Alibaba’s Cloud Tech & AI Bring the Paris Olympics to Life for Billions Around the Globe

Alibaba’s AI-powered cloud technology is set to revolutionize how billions experience the Paris Olympics, bringing the event to life like never before. Joe Tsai, Chairman of Alibaba Group, stated, “The Olympics has been a vital platform for showcasing our cloud and AI technology. Since partnering with the IOC in 2018, we’ve helped make the Games more efficient and inclusive. We’re excited to bring our latest innovations to Paris 2024.”

Replacing the satellite broadcasting that was dominant sixty years ago, Alibaba’s cloud computing division is providing an AI-infused platform to assist with the transmission of the 2024 Summer Olympics in Paris. This enhanced broadcasting solution promises an unforgettable viewer experience, bringing audiences closer to the action than ever before through advanced cloud technology and artificial intelligence.

OBS Cloud 3.0, launched by Alibaba Cloud and Olympic Broadcasting Services (OBS), boosts efficiency and streamlines workflows for media and organizers alike. Broadcasters can deliver real-time cloud-based broadcasting via the Live Cloud service, while the Content+ platform offers a wide range of OBS-produced content, including live sessions, athlete interviews, features, behind-the-scenes footage, and social media content.

This vast array of media provides viewers with unparalleled access to diverse and immersive content, making them feel intimately connected to the excitement of the Games. In collaboration with OBS, Alibaba Cloud aims to support media outlets in efficiently capturing and distributing images and videos of the Games. OBS, a subsidiary of the International Olympic Committee (IOC), oversees event coverage distribution, ensuring high-quality content reaches global audiences. This partnership underscores the importance of leveraging technology to enhance large-scale events.

But that’s not the only AI innovation for the Olympics. Located near the Fontaine du Cirque at the eastern end of the Avenue des Champs-Élysées, Alibaba’s Wonder Venue will be open daily from July 27 to August 11 and will reopen for the Paralympic Games from August 29 to September 8. Alibaba’s intelligent shopping assistant, powered by Qwen, will provide personalized services using advanced AI capabilities.

These initiatives highlight how AI can enhance multilingual communication and image generation, offering visitors a customized shopping journey. Expanding its AI suite, Alibaba Group's international division also announced improvements in using generative AI to aid merchants in buying and selling goods online. Starting in September, Alibaba's International Digital Commerce Group (AIDC) will introduce an "AI-powered conversational sourcing engine" designed to simplify global B2B e-commerce through a dedicated mobile app and Alibaba.com's website. Merchants can use voice input to communicate with the tool, making it easier to match buyers with suitable products and suppliers.

So, will AI become an even more integral part of our daily experiences? The bold initiatives of companies like Alibaba suggest that the answers may be closer than we think.