On 13 and 14 November, the EOC EU Office hosted a Special Competence Seminar on Artificial Intelligence (AI) in Sport. On the first day, partners of the EOC EU Office received updates on EU funding programmes and opportunities. A comprehensive update on the European political landscape was also provided, focusing on the newly elected Members of the European Parliament (MEPs) and the forming College of Commissioners, followed by a truthful discussion on the European Model of Sport and post-2027 EU long-term budget. Lastly, the EOC EU Office shared updates on its European projects: OCEAN, SAFE HARBOUR, and SIGGS 3.0.

AI in sport was at the forefront of the second day of the seminar. Professor Jan De Bruyne (KU Leuven Centre for IT & IP Law) discussed the opportunities and challenges of AI in sport, highlighting potential biases and errors in AI tools. Kilian Gross (EU AI Office, DG CNECT) provided valuable insights into the new EU AI Act, reassuring attendees of the benefits of regulation, enabling European users to access certified AI tools that meet high safety and quality standards. Niko Vuorinen (DAiSI Doctoral Candidate, Norwegian School of Sport Science) addressed the ethical dilemmas surrounding data collection and AI in sport. Fostering peer-to-peer learning, Matej Machytka (NOC Czech Republic) and Morten Pohl (DOSB) shared best practices of using AI tools in their NOCs. The Seminar concluded with a workshop on AI tools, provided by Lucy Mills (Ready Sport Global).