Brian Gumbel, President and COO, Dataminr.
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As the curtain falls on the 2024 Olympic and Paralympic Games, the world has celebrated not only extraordinary athletic feats but also a milestone in event security and public safety.
Over 11.3 million visitors flocked to Paris from around the globe. This was the largest physical event ever held in France, broadcast digitally to an audience in the billions. The opening ceremony drew an estimated 1.5 billion viewers globally, and in the U.S. alone, the games attracted an average of 30.7 million viewers daily. The scale and magnitude of the event brought with it a host of security challenges—from crime, arson and attempted terrorism to public disruptions and cyberattacks.
The integration of AI in safeguarding the Games marked a turning point in how we approach large-scale event security. In preparation for the Games, French authorities deployed unprecedented levels of security, leveraging advanced technologies to monitor and mitigate potential threats. It’s been a fascinating journey to see how AI played a pivotal role in monitoring and mitigating potential threats.
Here, I reflect on the challenges of securing the 2024 Games, and the emerging role of AI in event security.
Integrating AI With Traditional Security Measures
One of the key advancements in securing the Games was the use of real-time AI-powered threat detection. Traditional security measures, while still essential, are no longer sufficient on their own to address the complexities of modern threats. Various AI platforms were employed to identify early signs of public safety incidents and enable timely responses to potential security risks.
In practice, AI systems were able to detect unusual activities—such as suspicious packages, sudden crowd movements or unexpected gatherings—with real-time alerting. This allowed security personnel to respond within minutes, significantly reducing the risk of escalation, which is vital when you think of the size and scale of the events, and the number of organizations, officials, individuals and devices involved.
AI’s ability to learn and adapt to new patterns also meant that it could predict potential issues based on historical data and current trends, providing an additional layer of proactive security.
Fostering Cross-Agency Communication
Effective communication and coordination among the numerous security agencies were vital in securing the 2024 Olympic Games. The event saw law enforcement, military personnel, intelligence agencies and tactical teams working together to ensure the safety of spectators, athletes and staff.
Over 30,000 French police officers, 15,000 French military personnel, 22,000 private security members and 1,750 police and security forces from 45 countries supported the security efforts. Successful operations at such large-scale events require significant coordination between these organizations, both public and private, at local, national and international levels. This coordination was achieved through comprehensive pre-planning and effective operational management.
For the Olympics, pre-planning started almost a decade in advance. This period is the perfect time to adopt proven practices from other agencies and establish a core planning group. Formalizing cross-agency communications ensures that all relevant organizations are aligned.
Operational management includes the implementation of stress test response plans to ensure scalability and flexibility of the event. This involves conducting rehearsals and scenario planning to ensure that everyone understands their roles, responsibilities and points of contact.
Communication chains must be clear, and the core planning group should be adept at using real-time information to inform emergency response plans and mobilize resources quickly in critical, time-sensitive situations.
Enhancing Cybersecurity
The 2024 Games also highlighted the importance of robust cybersecurity measures. With cyber threats ranging from espionage to hacktivism, the need for advanced defenses was clear. The use of AI capabilities extended to monitoring digital signals for signs of cyberattacks, providing early warnings and enabling preemptive action to safeguard critical infrastructure and sensitive information.
Cybersecurity played a pivotal role in protecting not just the digital infrastructure but also ensuring the privacy and safety of all participants. AI monitoring systems were crucial in identifying and mitigating threats in real time, preventing potential breaches before they could cause harm or disrupt the operations of critical infrastructure.
This proactive approach to cybersecurity is essential in an era where digital threats are as significant as physical ones, ensuring a secure environment for both the event’s operations and its attendees.
Looking Ahead
The advancements made during the 2024 Paris Olympic Games will serve as a blueprint for future global events, such as the 2026 Winter Olympics in Milano Cortina and the 2028 Summer Olympics in Los Angeles.
In the coming years, AI’s ability to adapt to new threats, refine real-time analytics and enhance cross-agency communication will be crucial. In Los Angeles, where urban sprawl and diverse venues present unique security challenges, AI will play a central role in coordinating large-scale operations across multiple sites.
Similarly, the colder, mountainous environment of Milano Cortina will require AI systems to understand different types of physical and cyber threats, ensuring the safety of participants and attendees in varied and unpredictable conditions.
These developments in AI-related security are not just limited to the Olympics. As other major global events emerge—whether they be sports, political summits or cultural festivals—AI will continue to evolve, providing tailored security solutions that address the specific needs of each event.
The potential applications of AI in public safety will only grow, paving the way for more innovative and effective security solutions and making the world’s largest gatherings safer and more secure.
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{Author}Brian Gumbel, Forbes Councils Member{/Author}
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