The 2026 Winter Olympics are poised to excite fans as they officially kick off next Friday and are being hailed as the most technically integrated Games in history. From first-person drones racing alongside athletes to AI-powered 360-degree replays that freeze the action in mid-air, the Milan-Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics will showcase countless innovations.
Technology will significantly change every aspect of the way fans view the events, whether they are watching their televisions, interacting with AI-powered chatbots or scrolling through social media.
How the integration of AI and drones will revolutionize broadcasting of the 2026 Winter Olympics
Drones were first introduced during the 2014 Sochi Olympics. Exarchos says the technology has evolved significantly. For the first time, Italy will use drones to take viewers directly down the toboggan run, capturing the speed and intensity of the sport in real time. This generation of broadcasting is defined by technology and offers audiences perspectives never seen before.
Exarchos highlighted that OBS’ AI-enabled technology can now generate 360-degree replays in seconds by combining images from different camera angles; the system provides a spectacular, multi-dimensional view of the athletes’ performance.
New AI assistant unveiled that can answer complex questions
The 2026 Games will feature an AI assistant that can answer questions and provide real-time results. The messaging will be integrated into social media platforms such as Meta’s Facebook, WhatsApp and Threads. In addition, content hubs have been set up on Asian platforms such as messaging platforms WeChat and Line, as well as short video apps Kuaishou and Douyin. This is the first time that Olympic Games organizers will welcome social media creators to each venue to produce bespoke content for digital platforms.
The transparent flares
The Milan-Cortina Games also designed a new torch for the Olympic Paralympic Games, which will show how the glory continues to burn. The minimalist torches called “essential” allow spectators and athletes to see for the first time the internal technology that maintains the burning flame. Each flashlight is designed for durability and can be used up to ten times. The Olympic torch relay started in Rome on December 6 and traveled through Italy before its scheduled finish in Milan on February 5.
