NBC to Use AI-Powered Voice of Al Michaels for Olympic Recaps

NBC has announced an innovative approach for the upcoming Summer Olympics by utilizing artificial intelligence to recreate the voice of renowned sportscaster Al Michaels. This groundbreaking initiative will allow Michaels’ AI-generated voice to deliver daily recaps for subscribers of the Peacock streaming platform, marking a significant milestone in the integration of AI technology within major media outlets. The new feature, titled “Your Daily Olympic Recap on Peacock,” will provide personalized 10-minute highlight packages that include event updates and athlete stories tailored to subscriber preferences. NBC claims that the AI can generate approximately 7 million unique highlight combinations from over 5,000 hours of live coverage from the Paris Games, showcasing the efficiency of AI in delivering customized content. Michaels, who has a storied career in sports broadcasting, expressed initial skepticism but became intrigued after witnessing a demonstration of the technology. He confirmed his participation, stating, “I said, ‘I’m in.’” NBC has confirmed that Michaels will be compensated for his involvement in this project, which aims to enhance viewer engagement during the Olympics. The AI system was developed using archival audio from Michaels’ previous broadcasts, ensuring authenticity in the generated content. A dedicated team of NBC Sports editors will oversee the accuracy of the highlights, including audio quality and proper name pronunciations. The AI-powered recaps will be accessible on Peacock starting July 27, just in time for the Olympic festivities.