AI Replay Tech Steals the Show at 2026 Winter Olympics, Creating "Orbiting" Jumps

AI Replay Tech Steals the Show at 2026 Winter Olympics, Creating "Orbiting" Jumps A new artificial intelligence-powered broadcasting system has transformed how millions of people watch sports, making its global debut at the 2026 Milano Cortina Winter Olympics. The technology generates stunning replays from angles never before possible, turning athletic performances into three-dimensional spectacles [82096]. The innovation was showcased during American figure skater Ilia Malinin's performance. For viewers at home, the replay of his quadruple jump did not simply play back from a fixed camera. Instead, the video frames appeared to spin and orbit around the athlete as he rotated in mid-air, creating a dramatic, immersive perspective [82096]. This "orbiting" replay is one of many new viewpoints created by the AI system. The technology constructs detailed 3D models of athletes and their movements using footage from standard broadcast cameras. Once the model is built, broadcasters can generate a video replay from any virtual vantage point, even positions where no physical camera was placed [82096]. Beyond enhancing the television spectacle for fans, the technology serves practical purposes for the Games. Officials are using the AI-generated models to assist with judging decisions, providing unprecedented clarity on complex maneuvers. The system also rapidly creates specialized content for social media platforms, catering to the demand for instant, shareable highlights [82096]. The adoption of cutting-edge tech at the Olympics extends beyond broadcasting. In a nod to history, photographers at the Milano Cortina Games are using adapted Graflex cameras from the 1950s—the era of the last Cortina-hosted Winter Games. These vintage devices have been modified to transmit their captured images directly to smartphones for live sharing, blending 70-year-old design with modern connectivity [79782]. Meanwhile, NASA has announced that astronauts on upcoming Artemis Moon missions, scheduled to begin no earlier than 2026, will be permitted to bring their personal smartphones. The devices, with their advanced consumer-grade cameras, will be used to document the experience with high-quality photos and videos for both private memories and public engagement, though they will play no role in critical spacecraft operations [69522]. AI Replay Tech Makes Olympic Jumps Spin on Screen Vintage Cameras Capture 2026 Olympics for Modern Crowd NASA Astronauts to Take Smartphones to the Moon