Alibaba Cloud, the digital technology and intelligence arm of Alibaba Group, is collaborating with the International Olympic Committee (IOC) to transform the Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games Milano Cortina 2026 into the most intelligent Games in history. By deploying a comprehensive suite of advanced cloud and AI-driven solutions, the partnership is setting new standards for sustainability, operational efficiency, and fan engagement on a global stage.
The landmark initiative marks the first time Large Language Model (LLM) technologies, powered by Alibaba’s Qwen models, have been used in the Olympic Games, signaling a significant leap in the digital transformation of the Olympic Movement.
“Milano Cortina 2026 marks a milestone with the first use of LLM technologies in the Olympic history powered by Alibaba’s Qwen models,” said Dr. Feifei Li, Senior Vice President of Alibaba Cloud Intelligence Group. “Our cloud and AI-powered systems that supported Milano Cortina 2026 demonstrate our dedication to enabling smarter operations, deeper engagement, and new possibilities for the Olympic Movement.”
AI-Powered Sustainability and Efficiency
To support the most geographically widespread Winter Games in history, spanning over 22,000 square kilometres, Alibaba Cloud has implemented robust systems to ensure smooth and efficient operations. An Enhanced Energy Data Management System deployed across all venues allows organizers to monitor and analyze energy consumption and carbon emissions in real time, creating a scalable model for future host cities.
Logistical complexities were addressed by the Transportation Management System (TMS), which seamlessly connected venues and provided mobility assurance for over 80,000 stakeholders, including athletes, staff, and media.
In a move to enhance officiating precision, the IOC and Alibaba Cloud debuted a sophisticated Video Adjudication system. Built on low-latency livestreaming technology, the system assists referees in Freestyle Skiing and Snowboard Slopestyle events by providing synchronized, multi-angle playbacks to resolve scoring disputes and ensure accuracy.
Revolutionizing Broadcasting with The Cloud
The OBS Live Cloud Platform, powered by Alibaba Cloud, has fundamentally transformed how the Olympic Games are produced and delivered to a global audience. By replacing traditional satellite operations, the platform enabled the flexible and scalable distribution of 442 live video feeds to 42 broadcasters worldwide.
This shift to cloud-based broadcasting significantly reduced the physical footprint of the event, with the International Broadcasting Centre at Milano Cortina 2026 being 25% smaller than at Beijing 2022.
Furthermore, AI solutions like the Real-Time 360º Replay systems and the Qwen-powered Automatic Media Description System modernized production workflows. Throughout the Games, these systems generated 4,198 video highlights of key moments, providing media rights holders with instant access to high-quality content.
A New Era of Athlete and Fan Engagement
Alibaba Cloud introduced an innovative “Intelligent Pin Trading Station” in the Milano Olympic Village, adding an AI-powered twist to a cherished Games tradition. The station, using the Qwen model, allows athletes to interact via voice and gestures, prompting a robotic arm to select and exchange a pin left by a previous participant. The station facilitated over 8,000 pin exchanges, fostering connection and discovery among athletes.
Beyond the village, Qwen models powered a range of applications, including the Olympic AI Assistant and the Sports AI Platform. These systems provided multilingual fan interactions, intelligent content searches, and streamlined media management, setting a new benchmark for accessibility and intelligence across the Olympic ecosystem.
What This Means For MENA
The technological innovations at Milano Cortina 2026 serve as a powerful case study for the MENA region, which is heavily investing in hosting mega-events and developing smart cities like NEOM and Masdar. The successful deployment of integrated cloud and AI solutions for managing logistics, sustainability, and visitor engagement at such a massive scale offers a blueprint for regional organizers. As Saudi Arabia prepares for events like the 2034 FIFA World Cup, the strategies used by Alibaba Cloud demonstrate how technology can enhance operational efficiency, reduce environmental impact, and create more immersive and interactive experiences for a global audience.
About Alibaba Cloud
Alibaba Cloud is a global leader in full-stack artificial intelligence services, offering state-of-the-art intelligent capabilities and a worldwide AI cloud computing network, providing developer-friendly AI services across the globe. Qwen (Chinese: Tongyi Qianwen) is a family of large language and multimodal AI models developed by Alibaba. Debuted in 2023, open-weight Qwen models are available to global developers via HuggingFace and ModelScope.
Source: Zawya
