Quantum Computing and Sports Analytics: Transforming Data-Driven Performance and Strategy in Athletics
The use of technology in sports has often been a controversial matter – from Video Assistant Referee technology to using AI to plan out strategy and plays – while the human touch doesn’t guarantee fairness at all times, does the use of tech create an even murkier set of circumstances?
One use of technology, however, that has been around since one human looked at another and said, “fancy your chances on the team in togas?” and his companion responded, “you’re on,” is the use of data analytics.
Used for centuries in sports betting (it’s the backbone of the industry), data analytics in sports is becoming increasingly widespread, particularly with teams looking for competitive advantages in every arena possible.
Let’s face it – sports teams nowadays are either owned by disturbingly wealthy and morally suspect mega billionaires, or by equally morally disturbing mega corps – and both employ teams of experts to analyse whatever ‘beautiful’ game they’re playing at the moment to within an inch of its sweaty life. Data science is just the next logical step in that.
If, for example, you know that teams are far more likely to win at home, even with their second string players, you’ll save your first string players for away games. It’s mostly common sense, but taken to the nth degree. With thousands of terabytes of data to analyse, it’s a lifetime’s long endeavour, but could yield some both helpful and surprising results.
Traditional computing methods have so far been excellent at the required analysis, but the datasets are growing larger and more complex, and our traditional machines simply, up to the task of the involved and large-scale data analysis required in sports.
And that’s where quantum computing (QC) comes in!
Quantum computing in sports data analytics
While most of us will have heard the news that QCs and quantum technology in general have been on the rise since the 1980s, this is the REALLY important era for QCs – basically, like the run-up to the internet being commercially available back in the Iron Age. And though the possible uses of QC have been proven time and again (and seem almost limitless), it might seem odd to think of a technology that governments are literally racing to get being used for sports – but hey, it’s a multi-trillion dollar industry, and everyone loves at least one type of sport (even if its chess or video gaming!).
Quantum computing, however, offers a promising solution for more advanced and accurate sports analytics, which means the data scientists and physicists are already hard at work on academic papers showing use cases.
For example, in basketball, quantum computing can be used to optimise player positions and line-up combinations to increase a team's efficiency on the court, predict outcomes, show a variety of ways to avoid committing fouls during creative and close court play, etc.
In football, quantum computing can be used to model and predict the movement of players and the ball during a game, providing insights into the best strategies for scoring goals or preventing them. It can even be used to predict and help avoid scenarios in which a player could be injured.
And of course, as the bright minds in sports betting will tell you, it can be used to make people a whole lot of money – and all while increasing the pleasure of fans’ experience.
Cyber attacks on the sports industry
Unfortunately, like any good thing, it can be used for evil as well – threat actors are always on the hunt for new industries to attack and new forays into our data. No data analyst worth their salt doesn’t allow for protections in every scenario.
A 2021 survey from the UK’s National Cyber Security Centre showed that 70% of sports organisations had experienced at least one malicious data incursion in the past year. Manchester United, arguably the world’s most well-known soccer club, experienced one in 2021, and of course, the most famous cyber attack on a sporting event was the data breach at the Tokyo Olympics, where hackers used a vulnerability to access the data of more than 90 Olympic partner organisations.
Thankfully, despite the advances in decryption which will come immediately after the availability of a powerful and stable enough QC, there are companies which have already anticipated the threat and offer protection against both quantum-powered incursions and your everyday malicious attacks. Check out a fan favourite, Arqit Quantum, Inc’s QuantumCloud, which can plug into existing hardware and software.
Another go to option is KETS Quantum Security, a UK-based company that offers quantum encryption solutions to protect against cyber threats, including those posed by quantum computers. Their technology is designed to be integrated into existing systems and infrastructure, allowing for secure communication and data transfer.
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It's a very alluring time in data science and technology for the sporting world – watch this space! Well, sports fans, thanks for your attention and may the betting odds for your sport of choice be ever in your favour.