Introduction
In the past, fortune tellers attempted to predict people’s futures with little accuracy and understanding. Today, only futurists allied with artificial intelligence (AI) have scientific confirmation of the future, and applying this to athletes is a perfect example. The sports industry and AI are inseparable.
Interview with Bill Quinn, TCS Futurist and Strategic Innovation Advisor
The Economist interviewed Bill Quinn, a futurist, strategic advisor, and innovator at TCS, one of the global leaders in information technology services and AI programs focused on sports, specifically running.
TCS is the main sponsor of the New York City Marathon and the Toronto Waterfront Marathon. They are also involved in Formula E, integrating technology into electric motor engines for race cars and creating digital twins of pilots’ hearts to support their training and performance programs.
TCS’s AI Initiatives in Sports
Quinn explained, “We have an AI group designed to be leaders in technology, understand its potential, and find ways to use it to help our clients. We work horizontally across various industries, including sports, manufacturing, financial services, and insurance. As part of our ‘Future Athlete’ program, we have elite athletes using it, such as marathoner Desiree Linden.”
Des Linden and Digital Heart Cloning
American Des Linden, at 42, continues running in the Masters category of 42.195 km and is transitioning to trail running. To achieve this with better energy management, TCS digitally cloned her heart, creating a real-time virtual replica. This provides precise data on its function, efficiency, and response to various conditions.
Expanding AI Access for More Athletes
Quinn stated, “We work closely with Des, but our goal is to make this AI accessible to more athletes. I am part of the ‘Future Athlete’ project and have created a digital twin of my own heart. We have around 20 athletes worldwide using it or other portable technology that feeds into our system to model and monitor their performance. Our long-term vision is to improve societal health and well-being. That’s why we’re using marathons as a testing ground for this innovation. We can test it with elite runners like Des or amateurs like me.”
Key Questions and Answers
- Is having a digital heart twin economically accessible? It’s expensive, costing thousands of dollars, not tens of thousands. Quinn emphasizes the importance of ensuring this technology is accessible.
- Does the futurist predict that digital hearts will assume some biological functions of a person? Quinn acknowledges this as a long-term vision but notes that significant advancements in nanotechnology, regulatory hurdles, and societal acceptance are required before it becomes a reality.
