FIA Collaborates With Notre Dame To Tackle Online Abuse In Sport

The Fédération Internationale de l'Automobile (FIA), the global authority for motor sports, has initiated a significant research partnership with the University of Notre Dame in the United States. This collaboration, backed by the FIA Foundation, aims to tackle online abuse in sports through joint research and innovation.

At the SEMA Show in Las Vegas, FIA President Mohammed Ben Sulayem highlighted the importance of this partnership. He stated: "This collaboration represents an important step forward in our mission to combat online abuse across all levels of sport." He expressed enthusiasm about working with Notre Dame to explore AI-driven solutions and develop strategies for a safer sporting environment.

The agreement outlines collaborative research projects between the FIA and Notre Dame. These projects will delve into the causes, effects, and prevention of online abuse in sports. They will also explore how artificial intelligence (AI) contributes to both spreading harmful content and developing potential solutions.

Furthermore, the research will examine how online abuse intersects with identity issues, athlete experiences, mental health, and sports federations' regulatory responses. This comprehensive approach aims to address various facets of online abuse in sports.

The University of Notre Dame has joined forces with the United Against Online Abuse (UAOA) campaign. Founded by Ben Sulayem in 2022, UAOA addresses the growing challenge of online abuse in sports. The university's involvement marks its first academic collaboration with UAOA in the US.

This expansion is notable given America's strong sports culture, where leagues like the NFL, NBA, and MLB engage millions of fans online. The collaboration underscores both organisations' commitment to fostering respect and belonging within sports and beyond.

The project employs AI-enabled solutions alongside surveys and policy research to track harassment trends and identify risks. It introduces digital literacy workshops and a "Digital Civility and Safety Quest" to help youth navigate online spaces safely. These efforts aim to protect athletes and create safer digital communities around sport.

The findings from this analysis will contribute to research papers, including the UAOA Barometer report. This annual study on online abuse in sport helps shape practical policy considerations for creating safer online spaces globally.

The University of Notre Dame has signed the UAOA Charter, becoming an official member of this global coalition. It is now the eighth academic institution to endorse UAOA's campaign against online abuse.

This endorsement signifies a major milestone for FIA's UAOA campaign as it expands into new territories. The campaign has seen rapid growth recently and received Peace and Sport's prestigious Coalition for Peace award for its impactful efforts driving meaningful change.