By T. Jayani, JadeTimes News
Fans at the Olympics are testing out a new AI driven talent identification system that aims to spot future gold medalists. Developers of the technology plan to create a portable version to bring advanced sports science to remote areas globally.
In one of the tests, seven year old Tacto frantically swipes at infrared sensors that flash blue, while his four year old brother Tomo sprints down a short track, monitored by cameras. The brothers from Yokohama, Japan, are participating in a series of AI powered evaluations near the Olympic Stadium in Paris.
The goal of the system is to identify future Olympic champions by analyzing data from five tests, which include activities like running, jumping, and grip strength measurement. The system evaluates power, explosiveness, endurance, reaction time, strength, and agility, comparing the results with data from professional and Olympic athletes.
Sarah Vickers, head of Intel’s Olympic and Paralympic Program, explains that by using computer vision and historical data, the system allows participants to compare themselves with elite athletes and determine which sport they might be best suited for. After the tests, each participant is matched to one of ten sports. Intel ensures that all data collected is deleted after the assessment.
Beyond its technical capabilities, the experience is enjoyable for participants, with Tacto expressing his excitement about the sprinting test.
The AI system being trialed in Paris also has a more portable version that can be used on devices with basic cameras, making it accessible in remote locations. The International Olympic Committee recently utilized this technology in Senegal, where it assessed over 1,000 children across five villages for their athletic potential. The system identified 48 children with significant potential, one of whom showed exceptional promise, leading to offers of sports program placements.
Professor John Brewer, a visiting lecturer at the University of Suffolk, acknowledges the system's usefulness in initial talent identification but notes its limitations in assessing technical sports like football or basketball, which require more than just physical attributes. Despite this, he sees the system's portability and ability to reach underserved areas as a significant advantage.
Back in Paris, Tacto learns that he has been identified as a potential sprinter, although he prefers football and tennis for now. Meanwhile, former collegiate athletes Hank and Brock, who participated in the AI assessments, received surprising results Hank was matched with rugby, and Brock, despite having little experience, was identified as a potential basketball player. This highlights that, while advanced, the AI technology isn't infallible.
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