Fans at the Olympics are getting a taste of the future with a new AI-powered talent spotting system that aims to identify potential gold medallists of tomorrow. Developed by Intel, this system uses a series of tests to assess participants’ power, explosiveness, endurance, reaction time, strength, and agility. The results are then compared to data from professional and Olympic athletes to determine the most suitable sport for each individual.
The system, which is currently being tested near the Olympic Stadium in Paris, has a portable version that can be run on most devices with a basic camera and computing power. This portable AI technology has been taken to remote areas in Senegal, where it assessed over 1,000 children on their athletic potential. The system identified 48 children with “huge potential” and one with “exceptional potential,” offering them places in sports programs to further develop their abilities.
While the system has shown promise in identifying potential athletes, experts caution that it may have limitations, especially in technical sports like football or basketball. However, the system is seen as a valuable tool for making initial assessments and providing opportunities to individuals in areas where high-tech assessment methods are not readily available.
At the Olympic Stadium, participants like young Tacto and experienced athletes Hank and Brock have received their results from the AI system. Tacto has been identified as a potential sprinter, while Hank and Brock were surprised to be recommended sports they had never played before. Despite some humorous results, the system shows the potential to revolutionize talent identification in sports and provide opportunities to aspiring athletes around the world.
