You’ve got to go for it, you’ve got to take the plunge,  you’ve got to try.  —— Lucas Didier

French table tennis champion Lucas Didier is 20 years old, and will represent France at the 2024 Paralympics. From a young age, Didier has shown a passion for table tennis, alongside his studies to become a spinal masseur. Despite facing physical challenges such as clubfoot, muscular atrophy in the lower limbs and a missing cruciate ligament in his knee, Didier has immersed himself in sports with unwavering determination and resilience. Striving for excellence, he keeps training and cherishing every moment. To ensure outstanding performance at the Paralympics, Didier continuously participates in international competitions, including recent events in Brazil, Egypt, Spain, Italy, and Poland. ALTEN has been Didier"s primary sponsor, providing full support for his competitions and journeys. He secured a bronze medal at the 2023 European Championships and another bronze at the 2012 World Championships, earning him qualification for the 2024 Paris Paralympic Games.

Common Ground of Industry & Sports

ALTEN has found common ground between sports and Industry 4.0. The company"s experts are not only proficient in specific fields but also skilled in applying their knowledge to innovative areas. They actively apply their expertise across diverse and complex disciplines. Sports and the industrial sector share a significant commonality: both strive for excellence in performance. Sports competitions are fierce, requiring individual athletes or teams to distinguish themselves through the measurement and management of key performance indicators. However, it"s essential to acknowledge the risk of injuries in sports and potential failures in manufacturing. Effective performance management hinges on a comprehensive consideration of factors affecting operations, including environmental factors. Athletes manage these impacts through perception and sensation, while factory managers similarly consider all production-related factors, including human elements.

In both contexts, it is certain that the environment will continuously change and evolve. Therefore, new technologies can help predict potential scenarios, which is crucial for both sports and industry. Technological innovation makes future simulations possible, predicting how environments will evolve. While new technologies are not a panacea for all problems, they offer a range of possibilities and probabilities, enabling athletes and industry leaders to better prepare and maintain a competitive edge in challenging environments.

Game Changer: AI in Sports

As a leader in the Global Sustainable Development Goals Group, ALTEN is committed to helping individuals and businesses fully unleash their potential. Especially in the fields of data, analytics and artificial intelligence (AI), the expert team explores and promotes the broad applications of these technologies in both industry and sports.

The introduction of artificial intelligence enables the extraction and processing of valuable data, which can be deeply analyzed and utilized in various ways. Antonio explained, "This is a technological revolution where, for the first time, we can process all available information, not just sensor data. We can analyze complex digital assets, including images, video clips, and even subtle and diverse information such as background sounds, crowd behaviors, weather patterns, and more." He emphasized, "The only thing that cannot be digitized is what happens in the athlete"s mind, although this information is crucial."

ALTEN, while leveraging artificial intelligence to bring innovation and progress to the sports sector, also maintains a strong focus and sense of responsibility in technological development and data privacy. They are dedicated to ensuring that the application of these technologies meets ethical standards, while also helping athletes and sports organizations better understand and harness the power of data.

In terms of sports officiating, AI technology has significantly reduced interruptions during matches through fast and efficient models. These AI systems can swiftly assess decisions, minimizing disputes and disruptions, thereby enhancing the fairness of the game. Furthermore, AI algorithms can monitor athletes" physical stress levels, issuing timely warnings to help prevent injuries, thus optimizing their performance while safeguarding their well-being. Antonio highlighted, "Artificial intelligence can also assist athletes in simulating the effects of different scenarios on their bodies. This real-time data analysis is crucial for them to make wiser decisions during competitions."

Furthermore, artificial intelligence plays a crucial role in enhancing fan engagement and viewer experience in sports. Personalized advertisements and real-time commentary achieved through AI technology significantly enrich the enjoyment and engagement of watching sporting events. However, the integration of artificial intelligence with sports has also raised various ethical, privacy, and fairness concerns. Antonio emphasizes, "When applying AI, we must be particularly cautious and responsible. How to handle personal health data, ensure data equity, and address the ethical risks that AI may bring are pressing issues that need to be addressed." The international community is actively working on developing and implementing relevant policies and regulations to ensure that AI use in sports meets ethical standards and safety requirements.

ALTEN actively advocates for trust and transparency, considering them core competitive factors for reliable AI solutions and foundational to driving innovation and development. Looking ahead, with technological advancements and refined policies, artificial intelligence is poised to bring even more positive impacts to sports while safeguarding the interests and safety of athletes and audiences alike.