Google has partnered with Team USA and NBCUniversal (NBCU) to become the Official Search AI Partner for the U.S. Olympic and Paralympic Teams. This marks the first time Google has entered into a partnership of this nature with Team USA. The collaboration aims to enhance the storytelling and coverage of the Paris 2024 Olympic and Paralympic Games by integrating Google’s AI technology into NBCU’s broadcasts and digital platforms.
The partnership will feature several key initiatives:
- Explain the Games with Google: NBCU will utilize Google’s AI Overviews to provide viewers with quick snapshots and detailed explanations of Olympic events and athlete stories. This feature will be incorporated into NBCU’s coverage across its linear networks and Peacock, as well as on social media.
- Try it with Google Gemini: Viewers will be able to follow Leslie Jones, Chief Superfan Commentator, as she explores the Olympic Games with the help of Gemini, Google’s AI assistant. This will provide an entertaining and informative perspective on the events.
- One Day in Paris: Five Olympians and Paralympians will be featured in social videos and promos exploring Paris using Google Lens, Circle to Search, Immersive View in Google Maps, and Gemini, highlighting AI-powered features.
- Enhanced 3D Broadcasts: NBCU will provide immersive 3D views of iconic Olympic venues using Google Maps Platform’s Photorealistic 3D Tiles, offering viewers a more engaging experience of the locations.
This collaboration aims to bring the excitement of the Games closer to fans, making them feel more connected to the events and the athletes through innovative technology (NBCUniversal Together) (NBCUniversal).
The Opening Ceremony on July 26, Google is seizing the opportunity to showcase various features and solidify its position in the AI arena. This initiative aims to bring athletes’ stories and the Paris games to life by incorporating sponsored content formats. These formats include innovative ways to search for Olympic and Paralympic information using Google Search and its AI capabilities, all integrated into NBCU’s coverage.
Several activations are planned as part of this partnership. One notable feature, “Explain the Games,” will demonstrate how Google Search’s AI Overviews can help viewers answer questions about the games with a single search. NBCU commentators will provide demonstrations, and the activation will extend to the media company’s social media platforms. This initiative might help consumers become more comfortable with the AI search feature, despite existing criticisms.
Another activation includes a collaboration with actress and comedian Leslie Jones, who is featured as a “chief superfan commentator.” According to the release details, Jones will follow the games with the help of Gemini, an AI tool that will assist her in creating custom moves and learning new sports. She will share her knowledge and experiences with viewers across NBCU networks and the streaming service Peacock.
The partnership will also highlight five Olympians and Paralympians through social videos and late-night promos as they explore Paris, the host city of the games, with the aid of Google Lens, Circle to Search, Immersive View in Google Maps, and Gemini. During the games, viewers will also experience immersive views of Olympic venues in Paris, such as Versailles and Stade Roland Garros, provided by Google Maps Platform’s Photorealistic 3D tiles, which offer 3D visualizations of locations worldwide.
Google’s high-profile partnership comes as its parent company, Alphabet, enjoys significant success. In Q1, Alphabet reported a 15% year-over-year revenue increase, reaching $80.54 billion and surpassing analyst expectations. CEO Sundar Pichai noted that the company is well into its “Gemini era.” Alphabet is set to report its next earnings on July 23 after market close.
Meanwhile, NBCUniversal is vigorously engaging with the Olympics, seeking innovative ways to connect with younger audiences. Recently, NBCU launched the Paris Creator Collective, a program that will send 27 creators to Paris to cover the games. NBCU holds the U.S. media rights to the Olympic games through 2032.
