The Los Angeles County Office of Education recently hosted the CTO Tech Talk at SoFi Stadium, bringing experts from the sports and education industries together to share how they are using artificial intelligence (AI) to streamline their workflows and enhance their impact. With AI making waves across various sectors, these professionals offered real-world insights into how this technology is transforming both their industries and the next generation of workers and learners.

NFL Embraces AI for Speedy Content Creation and Enhanced Fan Engagement

Two employees from the NFL Network discussed how AI is making their day-to-day jobs easier by speeding up content creation and improving the production process. Jay Julio and Thomas Warren highlighted that AI is already being used to generate captions for voiceovers and create detailed production schedules. They shared how they’re using Adobe’s AI tools to make these tasks more accessible, allowing content teams to produce media faster and more efficiently. 

In addition to their own internal use of AI, the NFL Network is focused on supporting digital citizenship awareness and empowering the next generation of content creators. They run a tech boot camp for students and have partnered with Inglewood High School to teach students how to produce and broadcast their own football games. The program covers everything from conducting interviews to managing lighting, operating cameras, and editing footage. This hands-on approach gives students valuable skills in media production while promoting responsible technology use.

AI as a "Coach" in Education: School Districts Tap into AI's Potential

While the NFL is harnessing AI for content and fan engagement, school districts are leveraging it to transform education. Several chief technology officers from various school districts spoke about how AI is being integrated into classrooms to support teachers and enhance student outcomes.

Mike Lawrence and Chad Laines from the ABC Unified School District, shared their thoughts on what they call the "ABCs of AI" in education. They likened AI to a coach that helps make critical decisions during the game, but in the classroom, those decisions help teachers adapt and reach struggling students before they give up. By analyzing student data and performance, AI tools can provide insights that allow educators to pivot their teaching methods and offer timely support, ensuring that no student falls through the cracks.

At the same event, Dr. Patrick Gittisriboongul of Lynwood Unified School District received the prestigious L.A. County Chief Technology Officer of the Year Award for their efforts in AI implementation. Dr. Gittisriboongul also presented at the event, emphasizing the importance of transparency when using AI in education. His district has formed a task force to ensure that AI is used ethically and effectively, focusing on clear communication with teachers, parents and students about how the technology is being applied in the classroom.

AI and the Future: Empowering the Next Generation

AI is clearly revolutionizing both the sports and education sectors. From accelerating content creation in the NFL to supporting personalized learning in classrooms, the technology’s potential is vast. However, as employees from the NFL and the education CTOs pointed out, transparency, accuracy and ethics are critical factors to consider as AI becomes more deeply embedded in these fields. By fostering collaboration between industry leaders, educators and students, we can ensure that AI not only enhances efficiency but also empowers the next generation to succeed in an increasingly digital world.