How world-class athletes are turning to the power of AI and data

Between lifting a combined 200 kilograms (nearly 441 pounds) at a world championship, winning a bronze medal and qualifying for the 2024 Paris Olympics, weightlifter Jourdan Delacruz doesn’t have a lot of spare time. Ranked fourth in the world in her weight class, she spends her days training, traveling and preparing for her second trip to the Olympic Games.

So when it comes to refueling her body after a long day, Delacruz has no interest in scrolling through endless recipes. Instead, she turns to AI for help and recently made a tasty chicken stir-fry.

“I’ll say, ‘Give me high-protein dinner ideas that are sports dietitian-approved’ for very specific results, so I don’t get a million dinner ideas,” says Delacruz. “It’s been fun to explore, because I feel like I get in a rut with dinner.”

Using AI to learn about nutrition is just one part of a new technology project that Delacruz and other women athletes are participating in to help improve their well-being, performance and careers as they train for a spot at the Olympics or Paralympics. Or, in the case of Delacruz, who recently qualified, a spot on the podium.