Ai Shibata (柴田 亜衣, Shibata Ai; born May 14, 1982) is a Japanese former swimmer. At the 2004 Summer Olympics, she won the gold medal in the 800 meter freestyle race. She was the first ever female gold medalist for Japan in a freestyle event. She attended the National Institute of Fitness and Sports in Kanoya. In 2008 Shibata announced her retirement.