Alibaba Cloud, the digital technology and intelligence division, partnered with Olympic Broadcasting Services (OBS) and the International Olympic Committee (IOC). They will deploy advanced cloud and AI technologies for the Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics. The collaboration aims to create a more efficient, cloud-based broadcasting experience globally. This deployment builds on previous work at the Tokyo, Beijing, and Paris games. The technology features an upgraded 360-degree replay system powered by AI.
This initiative aligns with Alibaba’s broader focus on artificial intelligence. Chairman Joseph Tsai advocated for open-source AI at the World Governments Summit. Tsai stated open-source AI allows governments to maintain data sovereignty.
The company is reportedly spending approximately $431 million on marketing and incentives. This spending aims to expand the user base of its Qwen AI application during the Lunar New Year.