Intel has announced a partnership with Arizona State University (ASU) to introduce AI-enabled personal computers (PCs) into the university’s football program. ASU will be the first Division I NCAA football program in the United States to use a fleet of AI PCs during the 2025-26 off-season. The collaboration aims to provide coaches, players, and staff with new tools for recruitment, game preparation, and fan engagement.
The initiative involves deploying Lenovo ThinkPad X9-14 Gen 1 PCs equipped with Intel vPro platform technology and Intel Core Ultra processors. These devices feature a built-in neural processing unit (NPU), allowing them to run artificial intelligence workloads directly on the device instead of relying on cloud computing. This approach is designed to support privacy and compliance requirements while delivering faster insights.
Arizona State athletics director Graham Rossini commented on the potential benefits: “College football is as much about preparation and strategy as it is about raw talent. By giving our staff access to Intel-powered AI PCs, we’re arming them with tools to identify recruits faster, break down and visualize game data, and engage fans in ways that weren’t possible before. It’s about gaining an edge, and we believe this technology can help us do that.”
The project focuses on three primary areas:
– Recruiting analytics and talent identification: AI-assisted film review and data analysis are intended to help staff quickly assess potential recruits.
– Football operations and analytics: Coaches will explore how local AI processing can aid in visualizing data, preparing for games, and conducting post-season evaluations while maintaining compliance with institutional protocols.
– Creative and digital media production: The creative team at ASU is testing AI tools for automating highlight generation, tagging video content, and producing real-time media for enhanced fan interaction.
Jen Larson, General Manager of Commercial Client Segments at Intel said: “AI PCs are changing how work gets done — not just in the office, but on the field. By putting AI computing power directly in the hands of programs like ASU football, we’re helping them unlock faster insights and new efficiencies in the moments that matter most.”
Steve Long, SVP Commercial Business Segment at Lenovo’s Intelligent Devices Group added: “AI PCs mark a turning point in how organizations harness advanced computing to enhance performance. By combining Lenovo’s ThinkPad leadership with Intel’s AI innovation, we’re helping customers like Arizona State University redefine how they can use technology to realize their potential. Unlocking new levels of productivity, adaptability, and insight shows how smarter solutions can make a real impact both on and off the field.”
This initiative builds upon an existing relationship between ASU and Intel focused on advancing technologies such as semiconductor education and workforce development efforts worldwide.
ASU has been recognized as one of the most innovative universities in the nation for 11 consecutive years (https://news.asu.edu/20230906-arizona-state-university-us-news-most-innovative-university-eleven-years), which underscores its commitment to integrating emerging technologies like AI into various aspects of its academic and athletic programs.
Further information about what constitutes an “AI PC” can be found here: https://www.intel.com/content/www/us/en/newsroom/news/ai-pc-explained.html
