Arizona State University’s football program will become the first Division I NCAA team to use a fleet of artificial intelligence (AI)-powered computers during the 2025 season, Intel Corp. said Thursday.
Sun Devils coaches, players, and staff will use AI for recruiting, game preparation, and fan engagement, marking a significant technological leap in collegiate athletics.
The Tempe, Ariz.-based university, which has been named the nation’s most innovative university for 11 consecutive years, will use Lenovo ThinkPad X9-14 Gen 1 computers powered by Intel’s vPro platform. The devices feature Intel Core Ultra processors with built-in neural processing units that run AI workloads locally rather than relying on cloud-based processing to meet privacy and compliance requirements.
“College football is as much about preparation and strategy as it is about raw talent,” ASU Athletics Director Graham Rossini said in a statement. “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.”
Added Steve Long, senior vice president of the commercial business segment, Intelligent Devices Group, at Lenovo: “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.”
The collaboration focuses on three primary applications:
Recruiting. AI-assisted analysis of game film and data will help staff identify potential recruits more quickly.
Game operations. Coaches and analysts will test how AI can visualize data and support game preparation and post-season evaluations while maintaining compliance with university and NCAA protocols.
Media production. The creative team will use AI tools to automate highlight generation, video tagging and real-time content production for enhanced fan engagement.
As the 2025 season concludes and attention shifts to training and recruitment, ASU plans to document how AI technology affects preparation, operations and engagement throughout the football program.
“AI PCs are changing how work gets done — not just in the office, but on the field,” said Jen Larson, general manager of Commercial Client Segments at Intel. “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.”
The initiative builds on a long-standing partnership between ASU and Intel that has included semiconductor education and workforce development programs.
ASU is part of a rising wave of college athletic programs investing millions of dollars in AI to gain competitive advantages both on and off the field.
The University of Florida leads the charge with a $2.5 million initiative using AI to analyze wearable sensor data on student-athlete health, nutrition, and performance. The University of Virginia, meanwhile, has embedded sensors in gymnasium floors to detect neuromuscular fatigue in real-time.
Beyond player performance, schools are leveraging AI for recruitment and revenue. The University of Southern California used AI matching technology to secure $2 million in NIL deals for athletes in 2023, connecting them with local brands.
Fan engagement has also been revolutionized. Mississippi State University and Providence College have deployed AI chatbots that boost ticket sales while collecting valuable behavioral data. Notre Dame and Alabama use similar technology to personalize fan experiences and handle inquiries.
