NBC is set to unveil an AI version of legendary broadcaster Al Michaels for the 2024 Paris Olympics, marking a bold leap into the future of sports commentary. Michaels, renowned for his iconic calls spanning Olympics, World Series, and Super Bowls, left NBC in 2022 for Amazon Prime Video’s “Thursday Night Football” but retains an emeritus role with occasional NBC appearances.
Initially skeptical about the AI clone of his voice, Michaels was amazed upon hearing it. “Frankly, it was astonishing. It was amazing,” he told Vanity Fair, though he admitted the experience was “a little bit frightening.” He described the AI rendition as incredibly close to his own, capturing his cadence and style with astonishing precision—close to “almost 2 percent off percent.”
The decision to deploy the AI Michaels on Peacock for daily Olympic recaps came after consultation with the real Michaels, ensuring authenticity and quality. The feature, titled “Your Daily Olympic Recap on Peacock,” will curate highlights and insights, blending AI narration with editorial oversight to craft 10-minute packages showcasing the day’s key moments.
Michaels expressed both excitement and concern about AI’s role in broadcasting, acknowledging its potential while reflecting on broader implications for creativity in fields like screenwriting. “In the next life, I’m going to need a new profession,” he mused, highlighting the evolving landscape of media and technology.
With roughly 7 million personalized variants of the AI program expected to stream nationwide, NBC aims to redefine the viewer experience, merging sports and technology to deliver unparalleled engagement through Peacock’s interactive features.
Kelly Campbell, President of Peacock and Direct-to-Consumer at NBCUniversal, emphasized the innovation: “With these recaps alongside interactive elements like Peacock Live Actions and Discovery Multiview, we’re bringing the best of sports together with the best of technology to deliver fans a personalized Olympics experience in a way that’s never been possible before.”
