The 2026 Winter Olympics has started up, complete with ceremonies. However, a recent sequence seen during the broadcast has already come under fire due to its use of AI. Commentators have also since been sharing their reactions on social media.
One White Lotus Star Was Featured During The Animated Sequence
The games, also known as the XXV Winter Olympic Games and the Milano Cortina 2026, is set to take place from February 6 to 22. Events will take place at sites across Lombardy and Northeast Italy.
Sports fans in the United States can enjoy the 2026 events through NBCUniversal. Peacock is set to stream each event live and on demand, with TV coverage also available on NBC. Streaming options are also available on NBCOlympics.com, the NBC app, and the NBC Sports app.
During the coverage, viewers were recently treated to a flashback sequence that gave viewers a look at the past 100 years of the Olympic Games. This cartoon sequence featured White Lotus actress Sabrina Impacciatore skiing and skating through various host cities from the games’ history.
Following the cartoon, Impacciatore took the stage with a live-action dance through the decade. During the performance, she showed off fashions from the 20s to the 80s.
The actress ended the performance centerstage, panning across the crowd. The sequence had a similar historical theme, but with dancers from every decade, helping to pay homage to Italian artistry.
Some Worried That The Sequence Took Work Away From A Professional Animator
However, the sequence proved controversial with some viewers on social media. Noting that the sequence appeared to be AI, some felt that this took a job away from a professional animator, noting the current struggles in the animation industry. As some noted, some animators would even have been happy just to work on the project for the exposure.
As one commentator noted on X, “Winter Olympics using dogs*** AI slop in their opening ceremony. An animating job that a talented animator would’ve bitten your arm off for, you’d have been able to find someone to do it for free even.”
Trivializing the entire creativity and investment of the opening ceremony with one of the ugliest AI “montages” I’ve ever seen on the global stage. https://t.co/Yn7WEjSQvJ
— Jonathan B (@HQBacon) February 6, 2026
A few also felt the AI sequence undercut the rest of the performance. As one fan shared, “Trivializing the entire creativity and investment of the opening ceremony with one of the ugliest AI ‘montages’ I’ve ever seen on the global stage.”
celebrating art, artists and artistry in general an the vcr animation used at opening ceremony it’s all AI🤢💀#MilanoCortinaOlympic2026 pic.twitter.com/e3mUGB98Hx
— naiiau •ᴗ•⋆⭒˚.⋆🍉 (@urmyou_th) February 6, 2026
Many thought it was an insult to the art that was being celebrated during the sequence. A few even wondered what the funding is being used on as the games start up. Some comments included:
- “Oh, wow a global institution using AI slop. Why am I not surprised? That looked awful who signed off on that. #WinterOlympics #OpeningCeremony #MilanoCortinaOlympic2026.”
- “Celebrating art, artists and artistry in general and the vcr animation used at opening ceremony it’s all AI.”
- “The #WinterOlympics using AI for that sequence was honestly horrible. AI slop that could have been done by a talented artist instead. What money are the Olympics saving when they get hundreds in thousands of sponsors and funding?”
Have you been following this story? What is your reaction to this recent sequence? Have you been following the 2026 Winter Olympics? Make sure you come back to TV Shows Ace for all the latest TV and celebrity news.
John Witiw has been a writer since at least 2015. He’s covered a variety of topics, especially when it comes to film and television.