World Athletics is pioneering a new frontier in athlete protection with the integration of AI to help athletes combat cyberbullying. In a significant move, the organization has provided 25 top athletes with year-round AI protection on their social media platforms.
This initiative comes after several athletes faced severe online abuse during major sporting events like the Olympics and World Championships.
Tackling Online Abuse
The decision to implement AI protection follows a four-year analysis conducted by World Athletics, using the Threat Matrix service developed by Signify Group. The study reviewed over 1.4 million online comments across platforms such as Twitter/X, Instagram, Facebook, and TikTok. While only 0.09% of these posts were abusive, the impact was intense.
Key findings from the report include:
- Paris 2024 Olympics: Of 355,873 posts analyzed, 809 were abusive. Notably, 82% of this abuse targeted just two athletes.
- Tokyo 2020 Olympics (held in 2021): Abusive comments were highly concentrated on two female athletes, making up 63% of the total.
- 2023 World Championships in Budapest: A sharp rise in racist abuse was noted, constituting 35% of all cases—a 12-fold increase compared to the previous year.
The abuse spanned multiple languages, correlating with the athletes’ native tongues. Additionally, abusers increasingly used emojis to bypass AI detection.
How AI is Shielding Athletes
AI technology offers a powerful solution to identify and filter harmful content. While the specifics of World Athletics’ program remain undisclosed, AI systems typically use advanced algorithms to detect and block inappropriate language, threats, and harmful patterns. This ensures athletes can engage safely on social media without the psychological toll of abuse.
The safeguarding measures will continue to evolve, with plans to expand AI protection to more athletes in the future.
Why AI Matters in Sports
Athletes often face relentless scrutiny, making them vulnerable to cyberbullying. According to Valerie Adams, Chair of the World Athletics Athletes’ Commission, many athletes are not ready to handle online abuse. AI protection not only shields them but also educates them on effective safeguarding strategies. This combination of protection and education is vital for ensuring athletes feel they have support both on and off the field.
World Athletics’ initiative marks the first time an international sports federation has deployed such an in-depth safeguarding program. Moving forward, the organization plans to refine its approach by exploring new AI tools and expanding the protection network. This is more than just a technological advancement; it’s a step toward fostering a healthier and more inclusive environment for athletes worldwide.
