The Download: soccer’s data renaissance and China’s big nuclear plans

Jesse Davis, a computer science professor at KU Leuven and head of its Sports Analytics Lab, is leading a data renaissance in soccer by employing AI and data analytics to uncover tactical patterns and challenge traditional assumptions about the sport. His team's research has been instrumental in generating many of the insights now being applied on soccer pitches globally. This work is part of a broader trend where advanced computational methods are transforming how the world's most popular sport is understood and played.

In parallel, China is rapidly expanding its nuclear power capacity, having nearly doubled its fleet since 2016 to approximately 60 gigawatts. The country initiated construction on six new reactors in 2025 and two more in 2026, demonstrating a significant commitment to large-scale nuclear projects. Despite the substantial upfront investment, often in the billions, and the inherent complexity of these designs, China's rapid progress positions it to surpass both the US and the EU in installed nuclear capacity by 2030. This strategic expansion suggests a belief in the efficacy of larger nuclear reactor designs for energy production.