Intel Brings AI PCs to Arizona State University Football, Extends Innovation Legacy

SANTA CLARA, Calif. — Today, Intel is announcing that it will be working with Arizona State University (ASU) to make it the first Division I NCAA football program in the nation to deploy a fleet of AI PCs during the 2025-26 off season. Piloting this technology will give coaches, players, and staff a competitive edge on and off the field — transforming how the team recruits, prepares and engages its fan base.

ASU, named the nation’s most innovative university for 11 consecutive years,¹ is deploying a fleet of Lenovo ThinkPad X9-14 Gen 1 PCs, powered by the Intel vPro® platform, to its football program to evaluate how on-device AI can help the team work smarter and optimize their performance. Unlike traditional computers that rely on the cloud for AI processing, AI PCs, powered by Intel Core Ultra processors, include a built-in neural processing unit (NPU) capable of running AI workloads locally, supporting privacy and compliance requirements while delivering faster insights directly to the user.

“College football is as much about preparation and strategy as it is about raw talent,” said Arizona State athletics director, Graham Rossini. “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.”

Exploring AI’s Potential Across the Program

 Through this collaboration, ASU and Intel are focusing on three high-impact areas where on-device AI can immediately provide value to the football program:

1. Recruiting Analytics and Talent Identification: AI-assisted film and data analysis helps staff surface insights on potential recruits, identify talent fits faster, and better align prospects with team needs and culture.
2. Football Operations and Analytics: Coaches and analysts are evaluating how on-device AI can help visualize data, support game preparation, and assist with post-season evaluation — all while ensuring compliance with university and NCAA data protocols.
3. Creative and Digital Media Production: ASU’s creative team is testing AI tools that automate highlight generation, video tagging, and real-time content production to enhance fan engagement and storytelling for 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, 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.”

“AI PCs mark a turning point in how organizations harness advanced computing to enhance performance,” said Steve Long, SVP Commercial Business Segment, Intelligent Devices Group, Lenovo. “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.”

Championing Innovation

 This step forward is part of ASU and Intel’s broader, long-standing collaboration to advance innovative new technologies. ASU has partnered with Intel on groundbreaking initiatives in semiconductor education and global workforce development efforts. Now, by taking AI to the gridiron, the two institutions are extending that legacy into the heart of collegiate athletics.

As ASU’s athletics programs focus on training, performance, and outcomes with existing student athletes, ASU also aims to utilize data driven, optimized focus on recruitment, — creating a before-and-after snapshot of how emerging technologies like AI PCs can enhance preparation, operations, and competitive advantage across an entire football ecosystem.

More context: What is an AI PC? | Intel Core Ultra Extends AI PCs to the Enterprise with New Intel vPro Platform