MILAN, 12 February 2026 - How can we manage the delicate relationship between artificial intelligence, ethics and the Olympic movement? How can we use technology responsibly, maintaining a firm commitment to Olympic values while exploiting AI in research, training and innovation in sport?
These are the questions at the heart of the International Symposium "Olympic Values and Artificial Intelligence", hosted at Palazzo Lombardia on the occasion of the Milan Cortina 2026 Winter Olympic and Paralympic Games.
The event was promoted by Panathlon International together with the International Society of Olympic Historians, the International Pierre de Coubertin Committee and the International Fair Play Committee, organisations committed to spreading Olympic culture and its founding principles.
Gary Rhodes (California State University, Dominguez Hills) moderated the proceedings, which were divided into three thematic panels:
• Sparks of Olympism: 'lighting up the future with Coubertin, artificial intelligence and education in Olympic values'
• Ethical and responsible artificial intelligence
• Preserving the past, enhancing the future: artificial intelligence and the public dissemination of Olympic heritage
International experts shared strategic visions and best practices, with valuable contributions from the heads of the IOC's AI Department and Ethics and Compliance Division, giving rise to a concrete and qualified discussion between technological innovation and institutional responsibility.
The human element remains central
One concept ran through all the presentations: AI should not replace athletes, but rather amplify fairness, inclusion and personalisation.
Even in popular sports such as football, the most realistic model remains a hybrid one: human referees supported by intelligent systems, capable of ensuring objectivity without sacrificing the excitement and unpredictability of the game.
Olympism is a timeless educational vision, while technology is a temporary tool that must be guided responsibly.
The challenge for our generation, it was emphasised in closing, is to ensure that Excellence, Friendship and Respect remain the compass that guides innovation.
"AI in sport does not replace the athlete, but amplifies fairness, inclusion and personalisation, always keeping the human element at the centre."
For Milano Cortina 2026, the message is clear: the future of sport will be intelligent, but it must remain deeply human.
The event was included as part of the cultural initiatives of the Milano Cortina 2026 Foundation.
