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This summer, City in the Community (CITC), New York City FC’s community initiative, partnered with New York University (NYU) to offer a free, three-week Artificial Intelligence (AI) course for young leaders aged 16-23. Hosted at NYU, the program was facilitated by faculty from the NYU School of Professional Studies and the NYU Tisch Institute for Global Sport. The initiative marks the fourth year of collaboration between CITC and NYU to create college and career pathways for high school youth.
Participants from CITC’s weekend programs, including the citywide Saturday Night Lights initiative, explored how AI can be applied to sport, community development, and entrepreneurship. Students worked in small teams to design AI-powered solutions aimed at expanding access, inclusion, and innovation across their neighborhoods.
Guided by NYU Adjunct Professor Herbert Hill and CITC staff Jack Jacobs and Joe Sullivan, students gained practical experience in sports technology, applied AI, machine learning, and creative problem-solving. The program combined academic exploration with CITC’s mission to empower youth through sport, education, and technology.
“In most large organizations, programs like this can feel like a surface-level initiative, but New York City FC was fully present and supportive every step of the way,” said Herbert Hill. “Their commitment helped our students feel heard, valued, and confident, knowing that no dream or idea is too big. This class also showed them how AI can be used in meaningful ways, not only in sports but in their everyday lives to improve their schools and strengthen their communities.”
The initiative reflects CITC’s broader efforts to create equitable pathways into STEM fields for young New Yorkers from diverse backgrounds and to integrate sport, innovation, and technology to strengthen health, leadership, and opportunity.
“We are deeply grateful to NYU and the Department of Youth & Community Development for their continued partnership and support in making this work possible,” said Bailee Eaglin, Director of Community Development, City in the Community and New York City FC. “This program reinforces how powerful it is when young people gain real access to emerging technology and the space to explore what it can mean for their futures. We are excited about what this creates for the years ahead and look forward to growing our role in this space across our city and our Club.”
At the program’s conclusion, participants presented final projects to NYU faculty, CITC mentors, and community partners, showcasing ideas that will inform future programming and inspire the next generation of innovation in sport and technology.