First Olympic Movement AI Engagement Forum in Lausanne

It marked a turning point for global sport as the International Olympic Committee (IOC) convened key stakeholders to define how artificial intelligence should be responsibly integrated into the Olympic Movement. The event aimed to establish a shared vision and ethical framework for the use of AI across international federations and sporting institutions.

The rapid expansion of artificial intelligence has ushered in a new era for the world of sport, a reality underscored by the first Olympic Movement AI Engagement Forum held on 12–13 November in Lausanne. Organised by the International Olympic Committee, the forum gathered representatives from International Federations (IFs), National Olympic Committees (NOCs), Worldwide Olympic Partners, and Organising Committees for the Olympic Games (OCOGs) to create a common foundation for the responsible and sustainable use of AI. As Sarah Walker, Chair of the IOC’s AI Working Group, stressed, the true challenge of AI is not technical but ethical and institutional—technology must support sport without replacing its human essence.

While the IOC has already begun integrating AI at its structural level, the further development of such initiatives will depend on each federation’s ability to adapt AI tools to the specific needs of their sport. At the Paris 2024 Olympic Games, AI-powered systems were used to combat online abuse directed at athletes, improve judging accuracy, and provide real-time performance insights. The next phase involves incorporating these technologies into the daily operations of international federations and national competitions.

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Several federations have emerged as early leaders. World Athletics utilises AI-based algorithms in photo-finish systems and motion analysis, significantly enhancing measurement precision. FIFA introduced semi-automated offside technology at Qatar 2022, relying on body-tracking sensors and AI—a system now expanded to youth and women’s competitions. FIBA is developing early fatigue-detection and injury-prevention models, while sports such as swimming, cycling, and gymnastics already use predictive analytics to optimise training loads and recovery schedules.

However, the advancement of AI presents critical ethical and operational challenges. Issues surrounding privacy, transparency, and competitive fairness require clear regulations, particularly regarding biometric data management and the balance between automated and human decision-making. The IOC continues to promote education programmes to support the ethical implementation of AI, reiterating that technology must function as an aid rather than a substitute for human judgment.

The Lausanne Forum also reinforced collaboration between Olympic institutions and global technology partners including Deloitte, Alibaba Cloud, Samsung, Allianz, and Omega. These companies shared their experience in developing AI-driven solutions for analytics, operations, event management, and sustainability. Ultimately, the forum highlighted that the sports world has fully entered the AI era, and the way institutions handle ethics, governance, and equal access will determine the future direction of the Olympic Movement.

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