UK Sport has introduced an AI-powered application named Social Protect to address the escalating issue of online abuse faced by Olympic and Paralympic athletes. This innovative app uses artificial intelligence to detect and immediately remove abusive comments across multiple social media platforms. The initiative aims to create a safer online environment for elite athletes representing Team GB and Paralympics GB. UK Sport, which oversees funding for high-level sports in the UK, has invested a significant six-figure sum in the development and deployment of Social Protect. Dr. Kate Baker, Director of Performance and People at UK Sport, emphasized that the volume and severity of online harassment targeting athletes is unacceptable and that proactive measures are necessary. By implementing this technology, UK Sport is pioneering a new standard of digital protection for sportspeople and is preparing to extend these protections to all athletes funded in the UK, particularly ahead of major events like the LA 2028 Olympics. Social Protect’s real-time detection and removal capabilities represent a major step forward in combating the mental and emotional toll of social media abuse, enhancing athlete wellbeing and focusing attention on performance rather than harassment. This effort reflects broader trends in leveraging AI for safeguarding individuals from online harm, demonstrating the role advanced technologies can play in sports governance and athlete support networks.