In a world where technology and social media are ubiquitous, protecting athletes from cyberbullying has become an essential priority.
The IOC Athletes’ Environment Commission and the IOC Athletes’ Commission have taken a significant step in this direction, announcing the implementation of an artificial intelligence (AI) system to protect participants of the Paris 2024 Olympic and Paralympic Games.

A National AI Policy: A Step Forward

Chile has been a pioneer in Latin America in establishing a National AI Policy, a crucial advance announced by the Ministry of Science, Technology, Knowledge and Innovation.
This regulatory framework is essential for the development and responsible use of AI, and its relevance is reflected in the IOC’s recent decision to use AI to combat cyberbullying during the Olympic Games.

This initiative, supported by the IOC, promises to establish a safer and more secure environment for the 15,000 competitors.

The AI system, developed by the IOC Medical and Scientific Commission in collaboration with the IOC Athletes’ Commission, will be available to the 15,000 athletes participating in Paris 2024.
This advanced technological tool aims to identify abusive messages on platforms such as X, Facebook, Instagram and TikTok, alerting the corresponding platforms to quickly remove them.

Promising Results at Esports 2023 Olympic Week

The AI system was first tested during Esports 2023 Olympic Week, analyzing more than 17,000 posts for offensive content.
Of these, 199 potential cases of abuse were alerted, with 49 posts confirmed as offensive in nature and immediately removed.
This success underlines the effectiveness of the tool and its potential to protect athletes during the Olympic Games.

Athlete Support and System Flexibility

Some competitors support this app highlighting how it will enhance the Olympic experience for athletes, allowing them to focus on competing and winning medals.
In addition, athletes will have the option to opt out of this protection measure, ensuring that everyone has control over their online presence.
Beyond the Paris 2024 Games, the long-term goal of the AI system is to better understand the scale and nature of social media bullying.
This knowledge will enable the IOC to develop and improve strategies to combat cyberbullying at future Olympic events, effectively protecting athletes around the world.

The implementation of AI to protect athletes from cyberbullying at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games is a crucial step forward in the fight against one of the most troubling problems of the digital age.
This system will not only protect athletes in the present, but will also lay the groundwork for a safer and more respectful digital environment in the future.
With the support of advanced technologies, the Olympic Games will continue to represent excellence and sportsmanship, now also in the fight against cyberbullying.