Jakarta, INTI - Olympic Broadcasting Services (OBS) has expanded its use of drones and Artificial Intelligence (AI) in the broadcast coverage of the Milan-Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics at the International Broadcast Center in Milan, Italy, aiming to deliver a more immersive viewing experience on Thursday, February 12, 2026, at 12:23 WIB.
The initiative has been implemented across nearly all sports disciplines, introducing new camera angles and real-time data analysis to help audiences gain a deeper understanding of the competitions.
In speed skating events, cameras now closely follow athletes from behind, highlighting their speed and creating a more immersive arena-like sensation.
The subtle humming sound heard in the footage comes from drones rather than conventional camera operators.
OBS CEO Yiannis Exarchos said, "We use a total of 25 drones. We use them in almost all sports, except ice hockey and curling."
The drones have been customized for individual sports through extensive testing and coordination with various international federations to ensure safety and effectiveness.
Drone pilots are trained according to the specific characteristics of each sport, with some of them even having relevant backgrounds as former athletes.
Yiannis Exarchos added, "Some of them are actually former athletes from those sports, which makes a big difference. They know exactly where the best shooting positions are."
Smaller Drones Transform Olympic Broadcast Production
OBS first introduced drone technology at the Sochi 2014 Winter Olympics, although at the time the devices were larger and limited to operating outside competition venues.
Advances in technology have since enabled the deployment of smaller and lighter drones, allowing them to be safely used inside sporting arenas while still meeting strict safety standards.
Yiannis Exarchos said, "Internally, we also asked for feedback from the athletes."
He added, "They support it because they see the footage, they see the results, and they understand how important it is for viewers to better understand what they are doing."
Beyond drones, a range of artificial intelligence tools has also been developed for the Milan-Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics.
The 360-degree replay system first introduced at the Beijing 2022 Olympics is now available across all competition events.
The system uses AI to calculate and visualize key performance metrics such as speed, jump height, and the number of rotations.
Yiannis Exarchos said, "This is exactly the moment when audiences want to understand what is really happening."
In the past, producing high-precision replays could take hours or even days.
Today, the process can be completed in just five seconds with the support of AI.
OBS explained that AI helps separate athletes from the background, generate three-dimensional motion imagery, and compute relevant performance data.
With the support of OBS partner Alibaba, a real-time analytics platform has also been developed to identify highlight moments through video, audio, commentary, and data inputs.
The system is considered highly valuable for broadcasters, particularly when demand for star athletes’ clips increases.
The use of AI and drones is emphasized as a tool to enhance storytelling rather than simply showcase technological sophistication.
Yiannis Exarchos stressed, "This is all about the athletes and the Olympics. It’s about telling their stories, engaging audiences, and doing it in the most effective way possible."
Conclusion
The growing integration of drones and artificial intelligence at the Milan-Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics reflects a broader transformation in sports broadcasting. By combining dynamic visual perspectives with real-time performance analysis, OBS is shifting coverage from simple event documentation to immersive, data-rich storytelling.
Rather than showcasing technology for its own sake, these innovations aim to deepen audience engagement and understanding of athletic performance. As AI and aerial imaging continue to evolve, they are set to redefine how global sporting events are experienced by viewers worldwide.
Read more: MBG Operations Monitored Using AI, From Kitchens to Delivery Drivers