NBC will offer AI Al Michaels for the Summer Olympics
Top line
NBC Universal will use an AI-generated version of longtime sports commentator Al Michaels in its coverage of the Summer Olympics in Paris, the media company announced on Wednesday, bringing artificial intelligence to the games with the help of a 79-year-old who has been considered one of the greatest voices of the Olympics for years.
NBC will use an AI-generated voice of Al Michaels for the 2024 Summer Olympics.
Key data
Michaels himself will not be performing at the Paris Olympics, but fans will be able to hear a synthesized version of Michaels’ voice through NBC’s Peacock app.
NBC will use Michael’s synthetic voice in its highlight video, which the network calls “Your Daily Olympic Recap,” a feature of its app where viewers can enter their name and favorite Olympic sports to get personalized coverage.
In addition, the content is reviewed by NBC editors “for quality assurance and accuracy” before these highlights are made available.
In a statement to NBC, Michaels said he was “skeptical but naturally curious” when the idea of artificial intelligence first came up. But when he heard a demonstration, he said, “I’m in.”
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Important background
Although Michaels has retired from NBC programming in recent years, including from the anchor booth on NBC’s popular Sunday Night Football coverage, he is still employed by NBCUniversal, but now in an emeritus role. Michaels has also been part of NBC’s Olympic coverage since 2010, and previously commentated on the games for ABC. One of his most famous commentaries came from the 1980 Winter Olympics in Lake Placid, New York, when the U.S. national hockey team defeated the Soviet Union in what was known as the “Miracle on Ice.” He commented on the Americans’ victory by saying, “Do you believe in miracles?” He also served as NBC’s Olympic daytime anchor for the 2010 Winter Olympics in Vancouver, British Columbia, and commented on the 2012, 2014 and 2016 games. More recently, Michaels has served as a live commentator for Amazon’s Thursday Night Football broadcasts.
Surprising fact
Michaels will not personally cover the Olympic events from Paris. NBCUniversal announced its commentator roster on Tuesday, including Mike Tirico, Rebecca Lowe, Craig Melvin, Ahmed Fareed and Damon Hack as lead anchors, with commentary from former Olympians including former NBA champion Dwayne Wade, three-time Olympic beach volleyball gold medalist Misty May-Traenor and 28-time medalist Michael Phelps.
Big number
7.65 billion dollars. That’s how much NBC had to pay in 2014 to extend its contract with the International Olympic Committee for the media rights to the games until 2032.
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