Business Wire

Alibaba Cloud Digitalizes Sports Events with More AI Solutions

17.9.2020 08:00:00 EEST | Business Wire | Press release

Share

During Apsara Conference 2020, the digital technology and intelligence backbone of Alibaba Group, unveiled a series of artificial intelligence (AI) powered solutions which are set to transform and digitalize the way sports entertainment was traditionally organized, broadcast and consumed. The solutions are designed to bring spectators closer to the events’ center stage for more personalized and interactive engagement, while helping organizers and broadcasters operate more efficiently, effectively and securely.

Event organizers are set to benefit considerably from Alibaba Cloud’s Event Simulation Services (ESS). Running on cloud and powered by elastic compute, ESS can help organizers plan the layout of indoor venues virtually, optimizing the position of equipment and facilities, without having to move or commission a single piece of physical kit. With the ability to create a digital twin, ESS negates the time, expense and risk of physical tests and run-throughs, providing a comprehensive digital examination of a venue for all key stakeholders. When it comes to event broadcasting planning, ESS enables broadcasters to simulate and test different camera positions before installing camera tracks, thereby offering audiences the best point of view. Furthermore, ESS provides organizers with a wealth of insights for post-event analysis for more effective future planning.

For large-scale events, crowd management and access control could be time-consuming and cumbersome to coordinate. The typical paper-based accreditation system is not effective enough, especially at a time when venue coordinators are working hard to maintain social distancing measures.

Alibaba Cloud has developed a Digital Badge System which embeds access control and essential event information with digital accreditation. Developed to be simple to use, the digital badge system negates the need to print a paper ticket, not only being more environmentally friendly, but also reducing the risk of access pass counterfeiting. When using the digital badge, cards that carry important information such as maps, event times and organizer contact details, can be issued within seconds and on demand, removing the inventory problems often associated with paper-based systems. Card holders can also receive card expiration notices and other important notifications in real-time. In addition, event organizers have the option to embed health advisory information in the event of COVID-19 outbreaks.

Broadcasters and journalists are imperative in bringing the joy and excitement of sports stories to fans around the world. To improve their experience when attending press conferences, Alibaba Cloud has launched Press Conference on Cloud to facilitate virtual media briefings using proven live and on-demand streaming technologies. The solution broadens the reach and increases efficiency for journalists, who do not need to be physically present in order to join press conferences, saving them valuable time in crafting news stories, as well as the hassles of travelling to different venues in gigantic sports parks. Furthermore, with Press Conference on Cloud, reporters may even choose to attend more than one briefing happening in different locations at the same time to maximise their efficiency and productivity.

To bring fans closer to sports events, Alibaba Cloud also launched Fan Video Hub to enable sports fans from all over the world to support their favourite teams and athletes more personally, regardless of their location. The AI-powered technology can act as an efficient aggregator, which is able to collect and filter real-time videos uploaded by fans from all over the world to a variety of social network platforms, before broadcasting them onto designated online platforms, or in venues where the event being enjoyed is going on. Organizers of sports events can initiate special projects, encouraging fans to create motivating and personalized videos that will eventually be displayed in sports stadiums.

“As a global leading cloud service provider, we are excited to see our mature technology innovations to be used to support the digital transformation of some of the largest international sports events,” said Selina Yuan, President of International Business, Alibaba Cloud Intelligence. “For example, with Alibaba Cloud’s trusted infrastructure and services, we are able to work with stadiums and event managers to create even more thrilling and immersive experiences for fans, wherever they’re based. More importantly, health and safety has to be front of mind at all venues and events, and our solutions help event organizers deliver on their post-pandemic responsibilities through reduced and unnecessary travel. We want to maximize the thrill of sporting achievements, while enabling event organizers to work safely and even more efficiently with fans and global broadcasters.”

Alibaba Cloud is committed to digitalizing sports events through helping broadcasters revolutionalize the experience. In September 2018, together with Olympic Broadcasting Services (OBS), Alibaba Cloud launched OBS cloud, which was developed to transform the process for bringing the Olympic Games to viewers. Alibaba Cloud is also the official cloud services partner of the International Olympic Committee.

About Alibaba Cloud

Established in 2009, Alibaba Cloud (www.alibabacloud.com), the digital intelligence and technology backbone of Alibaba Group, is among the world’s top three IaaS providers, according to Gartner, and the largest provider of public cloud services in China, according to IDC. Alibaba Cloud provides a comprehensive suite of cloud computing services to businesses worldwide, including merchants doing business on Alibaba Group marketplaces, start-ups, corporations and government organisations. Alibaba Cloud is the official Cloud Services Partner of the International Olympic Committee.

To view this piece of content from cts.businesswire.com, please give your consent at the top of this page.

Contact information

Alibaba Group
Claudia Ju
Claudia.ju@alibaba-inc.com
+86 571 86561860

About Business Wire

For more than 50 years, Business Wire has been the global leader in press release distribution and regulatory disclosure.

Subscribe to releases from Business Wire

Subscribe to all the latest releases from Business Wire by registering your e-mail address below. You can unsubscribe at any time.

Latest releases from Business Wire

Laserfiche Earns 5-Star Rating in the 2026 CRN® Partner Program Guide11.3.2026 16:00:00 EET | Press release

Laserfiche — the leading SaaS provider of intelligent content management — has been honored by CRN®, a brand of The Channel Company, with a 5-Star Award in the 2026 CRN Partner Program Guide. This annual guide is an essential resource for partners seeking vendor partner programs that match their business goals and deliver high partner value. As organizations navigate growing pressure to increase productivity and respond to regulatory change, Laserfiche’s AI-powered document management solutions enable users to transform operations and achieve meaningful business results at scale. Partners that innovate with Laserfiche solutions have the opportunity to grow profits through the Laserfiche Partner Program, which equips them with the tools and resources needed to deliver customer success. Laserfiche’s partner ecosystem drives sustainable growth, delivers differentiated solutions and maximizes opportunities for both partners and their customers. Laserfiche provides comprehensive AI and clou

I-Pulse Launches iTerra Pulsed Power Solution for Weed Control Without Chemicals11.3.2026 15:30:00 EET | Press release

I-Pulse Co-Founder, Chairman, and CEO Robert Friedland, I-Pulse Co-Founder and Chief Technology Officer, Laurent Frescaline, and iTerra CEO, Romain Leray, are pleased to announce the launch of iTerra, an agricultural technology subsidiary dedicated to non-chemical weed control within I-Pulse, the world leader in pulsed power technologies. This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20260311080724/en/ iTerra leverages I-Pulse’s proprietary high pulsed power technology to eliminate weeds at the root without harming crops, disrupting soil microbiology, or leaving chemical residues. Using AI-driven detection with accuracy rates of up to 95% in early trials, the system targets each weed individually with controlled, high-energy pulses lasting just five milliseconds. The treated weeds remain in the soil, where they naturally decompose, helping maintain soil health and supporting long-term crop performance. I-Pulse Co-Founder, Cha

Andersen Consulting Strengthens Platform with Collaborating Firm Ambit Iberia11.3.2026 15:30:00 EET | Press release

Andersen Consulting expands its technology and business transformation capabilities through a Collaboration Agreement with Ambit Iberia, a consulting firm specializing in digital and regulatory solutions for the life sciences sector. Founded in 2003 and headquartered in Spain, Ambit Iberia provides integrated consulting, technology, and talent solutions for pharmaceutical, biotechnology, and medical device companies. The firm supports clients in meeting evolving quality, compliance, and regulatory standards through services spanning regulatory affairs, data integrity, IT system validation, and digital transformation. Leveraging more than 20 years of industry expertise, Ambit Iberia also offers human capital and executive search services that connect organizations with specialized professionals and senior talent, enhancing efficiency and driving sustainable growth in a highly regulated environment. “Our focus has always been on delivering specialized consulting and technology services t

Canva Introduces Magic Layers, Turning Static AI Outputs Into Editable Designs11.3.2026 15:00:00 EET | Press release

Canva, the world's leading all-in-one visual communication platform, today unveiled Magic Layers, a new breakthrough technology that turns any flat design or image into something you can edit, refine, and remix to suit your vision. This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20260311951174/en/ Magic Layers is a new breakthrough technology that turns any flat design or image into something you can edit, refine, and remix to suit your vision. Generative AI has triggered a flood of visual content, but most of it remains locked in static image files. Even small changes can require starting over, with reprompts that can unintentionally alter the entire design. Powered by years of internal research and Canva’s growing investment in its AI development arm, Magic Layers ushers in a new era of editable content, where speed meets true creative control. Available in public beta today, it turns AI-generated content into a launchpad, no

Adtran plays key role in OIF’s OFC 2026 interoperability demo with FSP 3000 OLS, ZR+ coherent plugs and domain controller11.3.2026 15:00:00 EET | Press release

Adtran today announced it’s playing a key role in the OIF’s multi-vendor interoperability demo at OFC 2026. The showcase brings together 40 member companies, highlighting real‑world operation across open optical networks. It validates multi‑vendor 100Gbit/s, 400Gbit/s and 800Gbit/s ZR+ coherent pluggable transceivers operating over open line systems. Featuring Adtran’s FSP 3000 OLS, coherent ZR+ pluggable optics and Mosaic Network Controller, the setup extends previous years’ configurations to include C‑ and L‑band operation and multi‑layer domain control. Adtran’s 800Gbit/s ZR+ pluggables also feature in the OIF plugfest, reinforcing their role in large‑scale, multi-vendor environments. This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20260311198561/en/ Adtran’s open networking technology will be central to the OIF multi-vendor interoperability demo at OFC 2026. “Interoperability is the foundation that enables open optical netw

In our pressroom you can read all our latest releases, find our press contacts, images, documents and other relevant information about us.

Visit our pressroom
World GlobeA line styled icon from Orion Icon Library.HiddenA line styled icon from Orion Icon Library.Eye