NBC to Utilize AI-generated Al Michaels Voice for Paris Olympics Recaps
- NBC will feature an artificial intelligence version of sports broadcaster Al Michaels for recaps of the Summer Olympics in Paris.
- The AI clone of Al Michaels' voice will narrate daily streaming summaries during the event.
- Viewers can expect a personalized and innovative approach to Olympic recaps through AI technology.
In preparation for the upcoming 2024 Summer Olympics in Paris, NBC has announced that they will be using an artificial intelligence-generated version of legendary sports broadcaster Al Michaels' voice for their daily streaming recaps of the Games. The AI-powered voice of Michaels will narrate Olympic video highlights on the company's streaming platform, allowing fans to customize recaps based on their preferences and watch key moments from specific sports. This innovative tool, known as "Your Daily Olympic Recap on Peacock," will feature highlight packages up to 10 minutes long, providing a unique viewing experience for subscribers. Al Michaels, a longtime NFL play-by-play broadcaster who has been with NBC Sports since 2006, expressed initial skepticism about the proposal to use an AI clone of his voice for the Olympic recaps. However, after hearing the AI-generated version of his speaking voice, Michaels was impressed by how closely it mirrored his style, describing it as "almost 2% off perfect." The cloned voice is capable of greeting viewers by name, adding a personalized touch to the narration of the Olympic highlights. Michaels, who famously delivered the iconic line "Do you believe in miracles? Yes!" during the 1980 Olympics when the U.S. hockey team upset the USSR, has a long history of sports broadcasting and will be celebrating his record 40th year as an NFL primetime play-by-play announcer during the upcoming 2024 season. The use of AI technology to replicate his voice for the Olympic recaps reflects NBC's commitment to providing innovative and engaging coverage of the Games for viewers on their streaming platform. "Your Daily Olympic Recap on Peacock" is part of NBCUniversal's efforts to enhance its streaming service offerings, which have been competing in a crowded field that includes platforms like Netflix, Disney+, Paramount+, HBO Max, and Apple TV+. Subscribers will have access to a customized playlist of highlights from the competitions, allowing them to stay updated on all the action and medal moments from the 2024 Paris Olympics.