The following content is created in partnership with Intel. It does not reflect the work or opinions of the NBC Los Angeles editorial staff.
The Olympic and Paralympic Games Paris 2024 are massive events—featuring dozens of venues, 10,500 athletes, 20,000 journalists, and 45,000 volunteers. The monumental task of planning these events begins long before the doors open. With the International Olympic Committee’s commitment to making Paris 2024 the most sustainable Olympic Games ever, reducing carbon emissions by half compared to prior summer editions, optimizing logistics requires innovative solutions. Intel’s AI platforms are poised to deliver just that.
To achieve a broad set of goals—such as dependable, flexible planning for the Olympic venues, advance placement of everything from broadcast cameras to retail kiosks, and logistical support for supply routes and athlete services—Intel’s AI platform, featuring digital twinning technology, was deployed. This technology provided near real-time metrics and insights, paving the way for future Olympic Games—and beyond.
Intel’s AI Platform Digital Twinning: Planning with Virtual Replicas
Digital twins are virtual representations of objects, environments, or systems, based on real-world data. These twins allow users to simulate complex interactions and explore ideas without the cost or resource intensity of real-world testing. For Paris 2024, Intel and its partners created virtual replicas of most competition venues, using Intel® Xeon® processors. These digital twins enabled critical decisions on camera placements, event setup, transit links, security, crowd management, and more, all while reducing the need for on-site staff and cutting travel costs.
Jean-Fauste Mukumbi, Solutions Development Manager at Intel Corporation, explains how the virtual venues were created: “We start with a digital blueprint provided by the Olympic organizing committee. Using powerful workstations with 4th Gen Intel® Xeon® processors and Intel® Arc™ A770 GPUs, we create 3D models and upload them to our software partner’s platform. This platform, similar to a 3D gaming engine, streams the content to client devices worldwide.”
During the planning process, the digital twins allowed all stakeholders to view and instantly work with changes to the plan. As Sarah Vickers, head of Intel’s Olympic and Paralympic Games Program, states, “We’re getting smarter about moving people around, managing concessions, signage, broadcast cameras, and more—all through digital twins, instead of traditional 2D drawings.”
Making it Count: Understanding Customer Needs On-Site
During the Olympic Games, Intel’s AI platforms will continue to provide critical customer insights. A people-counting system installed at venue media centers and Olympic family lounges will optimize resources like food and beverage supplies, security, and transportation based on real-time data about venue occupancy. This system, using stereoscopic sensors and machine learning, is expected to be 95% accurate, significantly improving resource allocation and customer satisfaction.
Virtual Spaces and Live Data: The Future of Optimization
For Paris 2024, the digital twin platform will only be used for planning. However, the potential for future integrations is immense. Real-time data could be integrated into digital twins, providing optimizations and efficiencies beyond what’s possible this year. This technology could be deployed across multiple sites for future Olympics, other sporting events, concerts, conventions, transit centers, and more.
“The technology is ready to be deployed on that scale,” says Mukumbi. “The possibilities are endless, limited only by the type of data you want to collect on-site.”
As Vickers adds, “Using data to adjust resources can lead to shorter queues at concessions, happier customers, and more efficient events—a win-win for everyone.”
Intel’s AI platforms have proven their capabilities in optimizing the logistics of one of the world’s most complex events. Imagine what they could do for your enterprise. Whether it’s streamlining operations, enhancing customer experiences, or driving sustainability efforts, Intel’s AI solutions offer the tools you need to stay ahead of the competition.
