Intel-Powered AI Talent Detection App

Uncovers Senegal’s Hidden Youth Athletes

 

 

 

Bridging the Gap in Sports Talent Discovery

Scouting youth athletes in remote areas has always been a challenge due to physical, financial, and time constraints. Many promising talents go unnoticed, never getting the chance to shine. To solve this, Intel, in collaboration with the International Olympic Committee (IOC) and the National Olympic Committee (NOC) of Senegal, has developed an innovative AI-powered talent detection app.

The Power of AI Meets Grassroots Scouting

This cutting-edge software harnesses Intel’s AI platform and uses any smartphone with a camera to identify athletic potential. The app eliminates the need for expensive equipment, making talent discovery more inclusive and accessible. AI and computer vision analyze video footage, while the app generates data insights that scouts can use to evaluate athletes.

Why It Matters for Young Athletes

Getting noticed by professional scouts is often difficult. It requires a mix of opportunity, finances, and exposure. However, Intel’s AI platform levels the playing field by offering every child no matter where they live a shot at being seen.

“This artificial intelligence platform for talent identification not only finds latent talent but also fills a gap in the market,” said Caroline Rhoades, marketing manager at Intel’s Olympic and Paralympic Games division.

Launching in Senegal Ahead of Dakar 2026

The IOC and Intel officially launched the app in March in Senegal, a country preparing to host the Youth Olympic Games Dakar 2026. Six villages were selected for a pilot program, where over 1,000 children underwent physical and cognitive testing.

The assessments, powered by AI, measured:

• Acceleration

• Speed

• Burst power

• Agility

• Change of direction

In just minutes, the app analyzed over 1,000 biomechanical data points to score each participant’s performance.

A New Standard in AI-Driven Athlete Evaluation

Intel used its full AI stack to support the app’s successful deployment in rural locations:

• Intel® Xeon® processors powered edge devices for video analysis and data processing.

• Intel® Gaudi™ AI accelerators improved model training efficiency.

• OpenVINO™ toolkit helped optimize AI models for real-time use.

• Intel® Core™ Ultra notebooks enabled quick local inference.

The AI platform then scored and ranked athletes automatically. Coaches and sports authorities received quantitative data that highlighted the top talents.

Real Results from the Senegal Initiative

Out of 1,000 participants, 40 children demonstrated elite-level potential. These young athletes are now on the radar of the Senegalese National Olympic Committee, thanks to the AI-powered evaluations.

“As time passes, the hope is that this technology can help increase the chances for every aspiring athlete to have the opportunity to shine on the global stage,” Rhoades said.

What’s Next for Intel and Olympic Talent Development?

By combining AI, mobile technology, and sports science, Intel is reshaping how youth athletic talent is identified globally. If expanded, this approach could help many underprivileged children achieve Olympic dreams, regardless of where they live.

“Intel AI talent detection for youth athletes in Senegal”