Football players are used to acronyms like QB, OT, and WR, but last Tuesday night, New England Patriots players Demontrey Jacobs, Caleb Jones, and Tyrese Robinson had a new one to work with: AI, or artificial intelligence. 

On Dec. 3, the three players and the team’s assistant QB coach and director of management, Evan Rothstein, joined up with NWN Carousel and Intel to lead over 40 local youth through interactive AI activities at the Boys and Girls Club of Dorchester.

“NWN Carousel came to us with this idea about introducing kids to AI in such a unique and special way and it was a no-brainer for us,” said Josh Kraft, president of the New England Patriots Foundation. 

Being a Boston-based company, the collaboration was obvious to NWN, too. “We deliver AI-powered technologies that are helping to shape the future of the Commonwealth,” said NWN chief operating officer Andrew Gilman. “We believe that AI will play a crucial role in empowering communities and kids and that’s why we’re excited to partner with Intel, The New England Patriots, and the Boys and Girls Club here to bring you Boston’s first AI Athletics Day.”

Hosting this event in Dorchester was especially important to Gilman, who has deep roots in the neighborhood. 

“My grandparents are from here, my father grew up on Lawrence Street just down the street, and now I’m living here and raising my two kids,” Gilman said. “Here, we’re surrounded by incredible people, innovative institutions, and outstanding sports teams. We’re so excited to bring many of these people, organizations, and technologies together for today’s programming.” 

One of the people who joined in on the fun at last week’s event was state Rep. Christopher Worrell. 

“This is a tremendous opportunity for our youth to explore the world of AI through the lens of sports and I’m especially proud that it’s happening right here in the Fifth Suffolk district, which represents the largest population of people of color in the Commonwealth,” said Worrell.

He added: “The event is about more than just introducing people to technology; it’s about giving them the tools to turn their dreams into reality. We’re providing young people with not just access to cutting-edge technology but also an opportunity to learn, to grow, to thrive in the industries of the future. We’re teaching them how to harness the power of AI, to work within teams, to problem solve, and to use their creativity while having fun. These skills will serve them no matter what path they choose to make it in their future.”

Beginning at 4:30 p.m. the youngsters were split among four stations:  Relay race, Pixel Playoff, GenAI Tales, and AINavigation. At each one, with the help of a Pats’ player or coach, the kids learned new skills on AI PCs donated to the club by NWN Carousel. 

From left to right, Pat’s players Caleb Jones, Demontrey Jacobs, and Tyrese Robinson ended the night posing for pictures and sharing autographs with over 40 local youth.Cassidy McNeeley photos

At each activity, the kids were presented with challenges off and on the screen. Gilman told The Reporter the idea was to ​​“demystify the concept of AI through motion and sports and have an adjacent curriculum that has hands-on keyboards where they’re actually learning.”

The players were learning, too.

“They’re kind of teaching me,” said Patriots guard Tyrese Robinson. “When I was in school, we didn’t have AI. It’s exciting to see how much technology has changed. It’s a good tool to have outside of and inside school,” 

Robinson, who is from McKinney, Texas, added, “I grew up in the Boys and Girls Club, so coming back to help is a great experience. I’m enjoying my time here. I’m glad I’m making the kids happy but they’re making me happy, too.” 

While Robinson led the kids through virtual and physical mazes at the AI Navigation station, fellow teammate Caleb Jones spent his afternoon at the Relay Race. Despite towering over the kids, Jones who is 6 feet 9 inches and weighs 370 pounds, had no problem connecting with the club members. “I was once a Boys and Girls Club kid in Indianapolis, Indiana,” he said, “so to come back and be able to give back to the community means a lot to me and it is everything I stand for.”

The offensive tackle added that if nothing else, he hopes the kids discovered that learning can be fun and that he and his teammates are not all that different from them. He noted that he was once a kid sharing the same experiences. 

“I distinctly remember having Colts players from way back in the day that I was able to see, and it was really an inspiration to me,” said Jones about his time as a club kid. “One of them donated his shoes to me. I was a big kid, wore size 17 shoes, and couldn’t find them anywhere. He hooked me up.”

BGCD president & CEO Bob Scannell expressed his gratitude to all involved, saying, “Thank you for coming together to support our kids. You are here bringing cutting-edge technology to all of our kids and leaving us with some great equipment and training, and I know they’re going to learn a lot.”

Added Kraft: “We hope when the kids get introduced to AI in school or maybe down the line at a job they’re like, ‘Oh, yeah, I did this with professional football players.’”

As the night wrapped up, the kids ate pizza, posed for pictures with the players, and took home certificates declaring them official AI Athletes.