How AI and Drones Will Transform Olympic Viewing in 2026

At the 2024 Paris Olympics, 5G and 4K dominated the tech landscape. But the 2026 Milano Cortina Winter Games will deliver something entirely different: an Olympic experience where technology doesn't just broadcast sports—it transforms how we understand them.

Yiannis Exarchos, managing director of Olympic Broadcasting Services, promises "unprecedented experiences" for viewers. For the first time in Olympic history, artificial intelligence, drones, and cloud computing will work together to create viewing experiences that were impossible just two years ago.

Eyes in the Sky, Data on Ice

The most visible change comes from first-person view (FPV) drones that will capture "dynamic perspectives on race tracks" through real-time onboard camera feeds. These aren't your typical aerial shots—they're immersive, racing alongside athletes at speeds that would make traditional camera crews dizzy.

Alibaba's collaboration brings 360-degree real-time replay to the Games for the first time. Multi-camera systems combined with stroboscopic analysis will freeze incredible moments from every angle, letting viewers dissect athletic perfection frame by frame.

Even curling—often called "chess on ice"—gets a high-tech makeover. A new tracking system will display each stone's path, speed, and rotation in real time, while suspended rail cameras and ice-level views help viewers decode the strategy behind every sweep.

Your AI Olympic Companion

Olympic GPT represents the Games' first foray into conversational AI. This specialized chatbot doesn't just spit out results—it interacts with questions about ongoing competitions, explains sport regulations, and creates AI-generated article summaries that highlight key moments.

"Artificial intelligence breaks down broadcasts into searchable clips, suggests shot descriptions and keywords, and helps users quickly find highlights," Exarchos explains. The system will also analyze real-time traffic spikes on Olympics.com to identify which moments matter most to fans worldwide.

For mobile-first audiences, this means Olympic content becomes as accessible as asking a question. No more hunting through endless video feeds or waiting for highlight reels.

Broadcasting Goes Virtual

Perhaps the most radical shift happens behind the scenes: virtual outside broadcasting (OB) vans that exist entirely in the cloud. This infrastructure reduces energy consumption by 50% while enabling remote production for events like curling and speed skating.

The system was tested at January's Dakar Rally in Saudi Arabia, where it achieved 75% space savings and 65% energy reduction compared to traditional setups. For Milano Cortina, everything will be managed through a completely cloud-based master control room.

This isn't just about efficiency—it's about democratizing Olympic production. Smaller broadcasters can now offer premium coverage without massive infrastructure investments.

The Data-Driven Spectacle

Behind every drone shot and AI summary lies a massive data operation. Automated description platforms will process the "huge volume of video coming in live," making Olympic storytelling "faster and easier" through machine learning.

AI systems will identify traffic patterns, predict viewer interest, and surface the most valuable moments before human producers even recognize them. It's sports broadcasting meets predictive analytics.

The Entertainment Industry's Olympic Moment

These innovations extend far beyond sports. Netflix, Disney+, and other streaming platforms are watching closely as the Olympics experiment with AI-driven content creation and cloud-based production. The technologies tested in Milano Cortina could reshape how we produce and consume all entertainment.

For tech companies, the Olympics serve as the ultimate stress test. Alibaba's replay system, cloud providers' virtual infrastructure, and AI platforms face global audiences expecting flawless performance during peak moments.