By Willem Standaert
Publication Date: 2026-02-03 14:27:00
As the International Olympic Committee (IOC) introduces AI-powered judging, this technology promises greater consistency and improved transparency. But research suggests that trust, legitimacy and cultural values can be just as important as technical accuracy.
The Olympic AI agenda
In 2024, the IOC unveiled its Olympic AI Agenda, positioning artificial intelligence as a central pillar of future Olympics. This vision was reinforced at the first-ever Olympic AI Forum in November 2025, where athletes, federations, technology partners and policymakers discussed how AI could support assessment, athlete preparation and the fan experience.
At the 2026 Winter Olympics in Milan-Cortina, the IOC is considering using AI to support judging in figure skating (men’s and women’s singles and pairs) to help judges accurately determine the number of turns completed during a jump. The use will also extend to disciplines such as big air, halfpipe and ski jumping (ski and…
