FIA partners with University of Notre Dame to explore AI’s role in tackling online abuse in sport

Sports & Championship

FIA partners with University of Notre Dame to explore AI’s role in tackling online abuse in sport

The Fédération Internationale de l’Automobile (FIA), the global governing body for motorsport and mobility, has announced a major research collaboration with the University of Notre Dame, one of the United States’ leading academic institutions. The partnership, supported by the FIA Foundation, aims to strengthen the international response to online abuse in sport through innovation, research, and the application of artificial intelligence (AI).

Under the new agreement, the FIA and the University of Notre Dame will undertake a series of joint research projects examining the causes, effects, and prevention of online abuse in sport. The studies will explore the dual role of AI — both as a factor in the spread of harmful content and as a potential solution for early detection and mitigation.

The collaboration will also look at the intersection between online abuse, identity, and mental health, as well as the responses of sporting federations worldwide to digital harassment.

This initiative builds on the United Against Online Abuse (UAOA) campaign, launched in 2022 by FIA President Mohammed Ben Sulayem, which seeks to combat online toxicity in sports communities globally. Speaking at the SEMA Show in Las Vegas, Ben Sulayem described the collaboration as a milestone in the FIA’s mission to create safer digital environments for athletes, fans, and organisations.

“This collaboration represents an important step forward in our mission to combat online abuse across all levels of sport,” said Ben Sulayem.

“We look forward to working with the University of Notre Dame to explore innovative, AI-powered solutions and to develop evidence-based strategies that ensure a safer, more inclusive sporting environment for all.”

Using AI-enabled tools, survey data, and policy research, the partnership will analyse harassment trends, identify high-risk patterns, and develop educational programmes such as the Digital Civility and Safety Quest — a youth-focused initiative promoting safe online engagement. The research findings will feed into the annual UAOA Barometer Report, providing practical policy insights to shape global efforts against digital abuse in sports.

The University of Notre Dame has also become an official member of the UAOA coalition by signing the UAOA Charter, marking the FIA’s first academic collaboration in the United States. The partnership highlights the campaign’s growing international influence, particularly in the US — a nation where major sports leagues such as the NFL, NBA, and MLB generate vast online interactions and engagement.

The FIA’s UAOA campaign, backed by the FIA Foundation, continues to gain momentum globally. Recently recognised with the Peace and Sport’s Coalition for Peace Award, the initiative underscores the FIA’s commitment to promoting respect, inclusion, and safety across the global sporting landscape.