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

Komainu Completes Two-Way Digital Asset Transfers for First Abu Dhabi Bank as Institutional Custody Framework Goes Live3.11.2026 11:30:00 EET | Press release

Komainu, a regulated digital asset services provider and custodian backed by Laser Digital and Blockstream, has completed the two-way transfer of a portfolio of digital assets with First Abu Dhabi Bank (FAB) through the institutional digital asset custody framework the two firms have established. The transfers settled instantly. The milestone marks the operationalisation of Komainu’s collaboration with FAB Global Markets, integrating regulated digital asset custody and connectivity capabilities with FAB’s existing infrastructure. The transfers demonstrate the bank’s ability to move digital assets both into and out of the custody environment, validating the infrastructure required to support institutional digital asset activity. The framework has also been designed to support future institutional financing solutions, including lending backed by digital assets held in regulated custody. This provides a foundation for FAB to further integrate digital assets into its financial markets infr

Klarna Expands Partnership With Mollie, Bringing Enhanced Dispute Management and Consumer FX to Merchants Across Europe3.11.2026 11:00:00 EET | Press release

Klarna, the everyday finance network, announced today an expanded agreement with Mollie, one of Europe’s leading payment service providers. Building on their existing partnership, the new contract brings additional Klarna capabilities, including enhanced dispute management and consumer FX, to Mollie’s more than 350,000 merchants. The new features will roll out across all Mollie’s integrations, via direct API, hosted payment page and via their extensive Platform partner plug in ecosystem. Merchants already offering Klarna through Mollie will gain access to these features through their existing integration. Merchants new to Klarna can offer Pay in Full, Pay in 3 interest-free installments and Financing at checkout, and can enable it within minutes. With Mollie’s recent acquisition of GoCardless and coverage across all EEA markets, the expanded agreement extends Klarna’s reach and product offering across the region. “This deepened agreement with Mollie opens up Klarna to merchants across

Bizzmine Unveils More Than 40 Quality, EHS and Compliance Solutions Alongside Major Advances in AI and User Experience3.11.2026 10:47:00 EET | Press release

Bizzmine has announced a major expansion of its intelligent QHSE platform at Digital Summit 2026. The company presented more than 40 ready to use solutions spanning Quality, Environment, Health and Safety (EHS) and Compliance, together with advances in artificial intelligence and a fundamentally renewed user experience. This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20261102147396/en/ Bizzmine summit panel discussion The latest developments give organisations a broader range of operational processes to manage in one environment, with connected information, common governance and a clear view of responsibilities and completed work across locations. “What impresses me most is how quickly we can now turn innovation into value for our customers,” said Mark Abbas, CEO of Bizzmine. “In just one year, we have expanded from around 15 solutions to more than 40, got recognized by leading industry analysts for our EHS capabilities, introd

Hightouch Launches Match Booster in Europe, Raising Match Rates Without Compromising Compliance3.11.2026 10:02:00 EET | Press release

Hightouch, the leading agentic marketing platform, today launched Match Booster in the UK, Germany, France, Spain, and Italy. Match Booster helps brands, agencies, media networks, and publishers reach more of their customers on more than 50 ad platforms, including Google, Meta, Amazon, TikTok, and The Trade Desk, by adding to their consented first-party data instead of replacing it. Until now, European advertisers have had two options. They could send first-party data to ad platforms alone and accept the match rates they got. Or they could hand it to a traditional onboarding provider that swaps it for a proprietary ID and drops any customer its graph can’t find, sometimes leaving audiences smaller than they started. Global companies also end up running separate US and EU workflows to meet data residency rules. “Better match rates shouldn’t depend on where your customers live,” said Matthew Lubeck, General Manager, EMEA at Hightouch. “European companies have been told that more reach me

Building on Netherlands NextGen Momentum, Trilliant Showcases Why the Next Generation of AMI is Being Defined by Choice at Enlit Europe 20263.11.2026 10:00:00 EET | Press release

Trilliant, a technology platform partner enabling utilities to gain real-time visibility and optimize performance across an increasingly dynamic energy landscape, will showcase its Power of Choice approach at Enlit Europe 2026, taking place 10–12 November in Vienna, Austria. The company will highlight how intelligent software and device-independent technologies help utilities modernize infrastructure and prepare for evolving grid demands. Trilliant’s participation at Enlit Europe follows its recent selection by Dutch distribution system operators to support the Netherlands’ NextGen smart metering programme. Trilliant’s role includes developing and delivering gateways supported by its transformed UnitySuite® platform, which will be demonstrated during the conference. At Enlit Europe, Trilliant will spotlight its Power of Choice approach, enabling utilities to integrate multiple vendors and technologies without proprietary lock-in while building a foundation for next-generation AMI and g

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