The Olympics have ancient beginnings, dating back to ancient Greece, but this year they will also have a dose of the latest technology. Highlights from the Summer Olympics will be brought to viewers by artificial intelligence, specifically the A.I.-generated narration of legendary broadcaster Al Michaels.
NBCUniversal and Peacock announced that a customized, daily highlight reel for the Olympics will be available to streaming subscribers, featuring the voice of Mr. Michaels. The 79-year-old broadcaster, known for his work on NBC’s “Sunday Night Football,” has granted approval for the use of his voice in this innovative new way.
The A.I. program has been trained using Mr. Michaels’s NBC clips to formulate coherent, realistic-sounding sentences that will provide his signature expertise and elocution. Subscribers will be able to choose the Olympic events that interest them most and the types of highlights they want to see, such as viral clips, gold medalists, or elimination events.
NBCUniversal officials anticipate seven million different variations of customized highlights throughout the games, showing up in the Peacock app for users who sign up for it. The new A.I. tool, dubbed “Your Daily Olympic Recap on Peacock,” is seen as a breakthrough in streaming technology and could potentially be used for other sporting events and shows on the platform in the future.
The introduction of A.I.-generated Al Michaels raises questions about the risks involved in using this technology for such a high-profile event. However, NBCUniversal executives are confident in the capabilities of the program and believe it will provide a unique and engaging viewing experience for subscribers.
The Olympics, set to begin on July 26, will be a crucial test for Peacock, which has been working to increase its subscriber base and compete with other streaming services. The use of A.I. technology for the Olympics coverage is just one way in which NBCUniversal is innovating and differentiating itself in the crowded streaming market.
