Olympics 2024: How AI is Safeguarding Athletes from Cyberbullying

• The IOC is implementing an AI-powered system called Threat Matrix to scan social media posts and protect athletes from online abuse during the 2024 Summer Olympics.
• Threat Matrix uses advanced sentiment analysis and human reviewers to flag and mitigate abusive content, aiming to safeguard athletes’ mental health and performance.

In the 2024 Summer Olympics, an AI algorithm is dipping its toes into the sea of social media posts to combat online abuse. It is estimated that the International Olympic Committee (IOC) believes that the 2024 Summer Olympics will result in more than 50 billion social media posts, not including comments. The staggering amount of material includes the names of more than 15,000 athletes and more than 2,000 officials who will come under intense scrutiny in one of the most stressful times of their lives.

The Impact of Online Abuse on Athletes

The cheers and expressions of pride for the nation are expected; however, so are hate and harassment, as well as coordinated violence or threats of violence. Online violence poses an enormous risk to the mental health and well-being of Olympians and may negatively affect their performances. Some of the most prominent athletes, including American tennis pro-Sloane Stephens and England footballer Jude Bellingham, have publicly spoken about the brutal assaults they endure. To address the issue in response, the English Football Association has funded a police department to pursue the perpetrators of abuse against players.

IOC’s AI-Powered Solution

Given the challenges in light of these issues, the IOC is implementing an AI-powered system to protect athletes from bullying and harassment. The system, dubbed Threat Matrix, is developed to analyze social media postings that are in more than 35 languages, together with top platforms such as Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, and X. The AI software categorizes various types of abuse and flags potentially harmful content for review by a human that will provide a swift reaction before content can reach the athletes.

How Threat Matrix Works

Threat Matrix leverages advanced AI capabilities to conduct sentiment analysis that assists in identifying the sentiments and motives behind an item of written text, even when there are no explicit or explicit phrases. The sophisticated algorithm can determine the effects of emojis and images on the meaning of the text and process the various dynamics of various countries and languages.

The Human Element

Even though AI manages most of the work, Human reviewers are also essential in reviewing flagged content for contextual information that AI may not be able to detect. They can support the victims, initiate takedown demands, or call the police in case of need. Usually, these actions can be taken before the user realizes the offensive content.

The Broader Implications

The development of AI to combat internet-based abuse is part of a larger initiative to ensure the well-being of athletes. The IOC is increasingly focusing on mental health and has recognized the adverse effects of internet misuse. Implementing AI tools such as Threat Matrix is a significant advancement. Still, it demonstrates the need for a comprehensive strategy incorporating changing expectations and norms in the sports community.

Success Stories and Future Applications

Threat Matrix has already seen the results of various projects, including monitoring abuse and threats during tennis matches and securing students across the US. The system was also used during the most recent Olympics eSports tournament, showcasing the potential of this system to fight negativity in various environments.

The Need for Comprehensive Solutions

Despite the strength of AI, it is clear that online violence is a problem for society which technology cannot fix. An integrated approach is required that includes support systems in sports clubs, education on the impact of social media, and safe and secure spaces for people.

As 2024’s Summer Olympics is almost approaching conclusion, implementing AI tools such as Threat Matrix is a significant technological advancement to protect athletes from internet-based abuse. Combining cutting-edge technology with oversight by a person, extensive support mechanisms, and a comprehensive support system, the IOC is taking an essential step towards ensuring that athletes’ mental health is protected today in the age of technology.