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Business Journals
27-06-2025
- Business
- Business Journals
Table of Experts — Artificial intelligence in enterprise: Houston Tech leaders on what's real, what's next, and what's at risk
On June 4, the Houston Business Journal gathered a panel of Houston-area CIOs and digital strategy experts for a roundtable discussion on artificial intelligence. This group of industry leaders explored how AI is already being applied across business verticals, the risks and limitations they're navigating, and what leaders should be doing now to prepare for the exponential pace of change. Heather Orrico, Vice President, Comcast Business: What's one way your organization is using AI that sets it apart, but that also keeps you cautious as you scale? Atif Riaz, CIO/CTO, Murphy Oil Corporation: Besides general productivity use cases, one novel use case for my team was utilizing AI to pick high performing teams for different projects. We already had the personality assessment data, and AI helped us figure out who might be best suited for certain roles on a project. Of course you always have to watch out for hallucinations. AI has huge potential for building better teams, but you have to set boundaries. Randy Volkin, CIO, Perry Homes: It's not important that every step forward has to be an innovation. There are a lot of commoditized tools and practices in AI that we are adopting that can make us better. There's a sense of shared exploration across industries right now, especially at the corporate level. If you can tap into that, you can make a real difference without high degrees of risk. Ashok Kurian, AVP of Data and AI Innovation, Texas Children's Hospital: HIPAA has very rigid rules about data, but we're further along than many other healthcare institutions. We have many examples of AI uses that improve care, reduce administrative overhead and ultimately allow our world-renowned clinicians to spend more time with patients and patient families. That's why people come to Texas Children's Hospital, we explore every avenue to ensure our patients are treated with the best possible quality of care. Jeff Green, CIO, Strike, LLC: We use AI to speed up risk assessments on bids. That process used to be a six-week, five-figure engagement. Now we feed the info into our AI model and get what we need in a fraction of the time. That frees up time and employee resources to go fix problems rather than just diagnose them, and it has reduced our legal cost. Everyone's happy about those benefits. Keith Tomshe, Manager of Digital Video, KHOU: We're experimenting with AI for news production, automatically generating versions of a story for broadcast, digital, and social. It's helped in places like SEO tagging and repackaging content. But adoption is slow unless it's built into existing tools. If you tell people 'go try this on your own,' it rarely happens. Viet Dang, Director of Data Services, Houston-Galveston Area Council: We're still in the early stages of our AI journey. We created a safe space for staff to explore the potential and possibilities of three large language models—Claude, ChatGPT, and Gemini. As a public-serving organization, our adoption has been thoughtful and cautious. We're especially mindful of protecting sensitive information and ensuring that nothing is shared inappropriately. With most of our funding coming from the federal government, we see AI as an opportunity to improve efficiency, and we're exploring how these tools can complement and streamline the way we serve the region. Traci Pelter, President & Publisher, Houston Business Journal: What's a tech decision you've made recently that felt like a real turning point? Ashok Kurian: About five years ago we decided to move more of our workload onto the cloud. It's given us the scale and flexibility we need for AI. The GPU access alone is game-changing for our algorithms. Jeff Green: We're working on making our unstructured data more usable. Right now, we have documents all over the environments. This DLP project will allow us to get Microsoft Copilot deployed for the company, but we've got to clean up the document sprawl first. Randy Volkin: We view it as important to continuously improve processes in addition to adopting technology to position the company for continued growth. We recently undertook a major project to transform our ERP platform and felt like we were able to achieve both. It was a very large undertaking but we couldn't be happier with the result. Keith Tomshe: What's interesting is how some people at the station have gone full steam ahead with AI—like building their own apps to adapt content for different platforms—while others barely touch it. If it's integrated into a platform, people use it. Otherwise, it doesn't stick. Justin Galbraith, Senior Manager Enterprise Sales, Comcast Business: I've got a customer using AI in video monitoring to prevent theft — like catching suspicious activity before it happens. Anyone else doing things like that? Permit processes, inspections, medical procedures? Ashok Kurian: We're testing computer vision and image recognition in the field of pediatric radiology, to ensure our radiologists are focused on the most complex situations, and create efficiencies with the common ones. Atif Riaz: Oil and gas uses cameras for remote monitoring: detecting leaks, fires, or missing safety gear. And now, with software overlays, we don't need specialized cameras. Any video feed can become intelligent through use of AI software. Heather Orrico, Vice President, Comcast Business: How do you align with leadership on innovation and data security when there are competing priorities? Atif Riaz: I have learned to reframe digital and security initiatives in terms of exploration, production, or operational success. Once you link IT to business goals, alignment and funding follows. Randy Volkin: Reputation matters a lot at Perry Homes. But we also know there's no such thing as zero risk. Even the federal government gets breached. So we talk about making good, measured decisions rather than chasing everything shiny. You need to take calculated risks to progress any business but we won't make compromises with customer data or other matters that impact our reputation. Viet Dang: Our CEO is very much in tune with emerging technology and its adoption. He recognized the value of AI early on and established—and now chairs—our internal AI Governance Committee. We're focused on organization-wide implementation, encouraging our team to explore the best uses of AI, develop effective prompts, and understand how these tools can support their work. At the same time, we're committed to educating staff on responsible use and maximizing the benefits AI can offer. Jeff Baker, Chief Technology Officer, Socium Solutions: We always bring it back to opportunity cost. What's the ROI of this versus doing nothing? At a certain point, the next thing isn't worth the price. Traci Pelter, President & Publisher, Houston Business Journal: I'd love to hear a challenge or win from this year. Something that went wel l— or didn't. Atif Riaz: A few years ago, we made a very intentional decision to empower the business more—to encourage citizen development and give non-IT teams the tools and freedom to innovate. And it worked. More people started building solutions, bringing up ideas, and moving fast. This has been a big win for us. The challenge with democratizing technology, though, is that not everyone wants to follow the governance process. It's a double-edged sword. You want a technically literate business, but also want to make sure there's agreement for them to stay within the guardrails. Randy Volkin: Education will be reshaped. AI can personalize learning, give every student the exact input they need in ways that teachers can't. In one of my kid's university classes they had to use AI and show their work, keeping track of each prompt they used to get to the result. Another kid at a different university banned AI entirely. It's such a wild contrast Keith Tomshe: Copilot is useful, but it lags behind some other tools. That's part of the expectation gap. People think AI is magic. Casey Kiesewetter, Vice President, Houston Business Journal: What ripple effects are you seeing across your organization? Jeff Baker: We can respond to anomalies faster. Yesterday, we flagged a potential issue in real time. That kind of agility didn't exist a year ago. Ashok Kurian: We are exploring the use of natural language processing technology, which allows our clinicians to spend less time behind the computer, and more time with the patient. This also boosts provider satisfaction, as they are spending less time having to document, and more time with their families. Jeff Baker: Bias is a concern, but it's not unique to AI. It exists in human providers too. At least with AI, we can audit those biases and make better decisions. Heather Orrico, Vice President, Comcast Business: Fast forward 20 years: What does the balance between humans and AI look like? Keith Tomshe: I got a Tesla. The self-driving is amazing. I even talked to ChatGPT on the way here to prep for this conversation. It's part of my workflow now. Ashok Kurian: Artificial Intelligence has come a long way, but what's on the horizon is even more exciting. Innovations are being made today that will lead the world to potential Artificial General Intelligence, where AI will be able to learn on their own, with reasoning capabilities. The uses cases are endless, but we need to also ensure safety and protections with these new discoveries. Atif Riaz: Some estimates put Artificial General Intelligence (AGI) just 12 months away. That's AI smarter than the smartest human alive. Whether you believe that or not, the urgency is real. Heather Orrico, Vice President, Comcast Business: What does this mean for soft skills and people leadership in the future? Randy Volkin: Education will be reshaped. AI can personalize learning, give every student the exact input they need in ways that teachers can't. In one of my kid's university classes they had to use AI and show their work, keeping track of each prompt they used to get to the result. Another kid at a different university banned AI entirely. It's such a wild contrast. Jeff Baker: I teach a cybersecurity certificate course at UT. The best students aren't always the most technical. They're the ones who can communicate, think critically, and work without a prompt. I hope that skill set is still important in 20 years. Jeff Green: I hire for critical thinking, not credentials. We once hired an art major who couldn't use Excel, but she became our best business analyst because she was great at problem solving and critical thinking. She knew how to ask the right questions and interpret those answers to produce business outcomes. That is going to set you apart in the future of the job market. Atif Riaz: We see younger generation nowadays is losing social skills as they are glued to their devices. But if the argument is that robots will get more human-like, that means they'll want social interaction too. So relationships and social skills will still be paramount; that's how you 'get along' with AI. Moderators Panelists
Forbes
26-06-2025
- Business
- Forbes
Lessons From The PGA Tour In Marketing Partnerships And Fan Engagement
Julio Gomez, Director of Brand Marketing at JPBranding Group, focuses on integrating technology into brand development & digital strategies. The Players Championship has transcended its status as a golf tournament to become a global showcase of fan engagement and marketing innovation. By leveraging strategic partnerships, cutting-edge technology and the iconic TPC Sawgrass course, the PGA Tour delivered an unparalleled experience for fans both on-site and at home. Whether you watched the 2025 tournament in person or from your living room, you couldn't miss the impact of its marketing partnerships. Here are the three key takeaways. 1. Creating Loyalty Through In-Person Fan Experiences At the heart of this transformation is the PGA Tour's commitment to fan-centric experiences. The 2025 Players Championship brought 144 golfers from around the world and attracted roughly 100,000 spectators, offering brands an unmatched opportunity to forge lasting connections with audiences beyond digital touchpoints. By embedding brand activations into the live environment, marketing partners aligned with the PGA Tour's values while engaging fans in authentic, memorable ways that digital experiences can't replicate. A 2018 Deloitte survey found that comfort (including safety and cleanliness), sightlines, entertainment and overall atmosphere were top fan priorities—each rated as at least 50% more important than any other aspect of the event. Comcast Business's Game the Green app, for example, enabled fans to predict shot landings on the 17th hole in real time using advanced network capabilities and live weather data from MachineQ IoT sensors. The Comcast Business Pavilion also featured gig-speed Wi-Fi, live coverage and interactive activations. Today, brands can build loyalty and maximize ROI by strategically integrating interactive elements into these experiences. Immersive tools—like real-time prediction apps or AR/VR games—personalize fan engagement. When tailored to audience preferences, these experiences encourage social sharing and foster community. Loyalty programs and reward can motivate participation, while robust analytics ensure measurable outcomes and continuous optimization. By combining technology, audience insight and data-driven strategic refinement, brands can turn in-person experiences into powerful, long-term loyalty drivers. 2. Immersive Engagement And Gamification (Fans At Home) Innovative broadcast technologies have revolutionized how fans experience The Players Championship from afar. In 2025, broadcast partners NBC and Golf Channel introduced drone-enabled augmented reality (AR) and Toptracer technology to track shots in real time and enrich broadcasts with immersive visuals. Cosm brought the tournament to life in shared reality, broadcasting at its immersive venues in Los Angeles and Dallas. Meanwhile, ESPN Bet on PGA Tour Live returned with unique insights and live betting analysis, following its debut at the WM Phoenix Open. To engage remote audiences effectively, brands should tap into immersive technologies like AR and virtual reality (VR) to create interactive fan zones, virtual stadiums or personalized product showcases that blend the physical and digital worlds. Gamification elements—prediction challenges, leaderboards, activity-based rewards—can further incentivize active participation and reward loyalty. Real-time data and social media integration allow fans, especially digital-natives, to interact with live stats, share content and connect with others during events. Curated exclusive access experiences—virtual meet-and-greets, behind-the-scenes tours, VIP content—strengthen emotional ties and brand affinity. To scale effectively, brands should pilot new experiences, partner with tech experts, and use feedback and analytics to optimize performance. By prioritizing immersive, interactive engagement and adapting quickly to fan expectations, brands can build deeper engagement, lasting loyalty and enhanced marketing impact. 3. Aligning Brand And Consumer Values Brand partnerships resonate most when built on shared values. When audiences feel that a brand reflects their beliefs, engagement, loyalty and conversion rates rise. A 2021 World Economic Forum study found that 70% of consumers buy from brands whose values align with their own. Stanley 1913, the official insulated drinkware partner of the PGA Tour, is a strong example of this. Its eco-friendly products align with the PGA Tour's commitment to sustainability and the values of its diverse fan base—encouraging environmentally conscious choices on and off the course. When launching co-branded campaigns, companies should prioritize engaging their loyal customers. According to Visual Objects, 43% of consumers are more likely to try a co-branded product from a company they already trust. Harvard Business Review also cites Bain & Company research showing that increasing customer retention by just 5% can boost profits by as much as 95%. A Playbook For The Future Of Fan Engagement As brands continue to seek authentic, lasting connections with engaged audiences, The Players Championship offers a compelling playbook. By aligning with shared values, harnessing technology and putting the fan experience first, brands can drive business outcomes while elevating the experience of sport. The tournament is not just an event—it's a model for the future of sports marketing and fan engagement in a digitally connected world. Forbes Communications Council is an invitation-only community for executives in successful public relations, media strategy, creative and advertising agencies. Do I qualify?
Phone Arena
24-06-2025
- Business
- Phone Arena
Xfinity Mobile users are about to get a big upgrade, but not everyone knows why it matters
Comcast is rolling out an upgrade to many of its mobile customers that could improve the way they use their phones. The company has announced that it is moving a large group of users on Xfinity Mobile, Comcast Business Mobile, and NOW Mobile to premium data plans that include QCI 8. This change is expected to give those users better performance when using the cellular network. QCI, or Quality of Service Class Identifier, is a system carriers use to manage how traffic flows across a network. QCI 8 is considered a higher-priority level for data. It helps ensure that users get faster speeds and lower latency during times when the network is busy. That means streaming videos, playing online games, and even using apps in crowded areas should feel more responsive. Comcast says affected users will get an email about the change by July 1. The upgrade will happen automatically and users don't need to take any action. QCI general priority levels used by major U.S. mobile carriers. | Image credit — This new move follows the launch of Xfinity Mobile's Premium Unlimited plan, which came with more perks like twice-a-year phone upgrades, full 4K video streaming, more hotspot data, and better spam call blocking. While the QCI 8 change is separate from that plan, it shows Comcast is continuing to make updates that affect a broad number of users. It's not yet clear which specific plans will get QCI 8 or whether this change will lead to any price changes. But since Comcast is making the switch quietly and across multiple brands, it looks like the upgrade could reach many users. For most people, the benefits may be hard to notice at first. But QCI 8 could make a real difference in places where the network is usually crowded, like concerts, sporting events, or busy city areas. Prioritized data helps users stay connected even when the signal slows down for others on the same network. Comcast has been working to grow its mobile business, and changes like this help bring its network closer in line with what larger carriers offer. That said, the actual improvement will still depend on local coverage and how well the network is performing in each area. Still, this is a step in the right direction for users who expect more from their mobile service, especially in situations where performance matters most. Secure your connection now at a bargain price! We may earn a commission if you make a purchase Check Out The Offer
Yahoo
17-06-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
PGA Tour Sends Message on J.J. Spaun After US Open Victory
PGA Tour Sends Message on J.J. Spaun After US Open Victory originally appeared on Athlon Sports. J.J. Spaun just pulled off the biggest moment of his golf career, winning the 2025 U.S. Open at the brutally tough Oakmont Country Club, his first-ever major title. Battling a wild front nine and a weather delay, Spaun delivered a clutch finish with back-to-back birdies, including a stunning 65-foot, 5-inch putt on the 18th. That final round 72 was enough to beat Scotland's Robert MacIntyre by two strokes, finishing at 1-under 279—the only player under par. Advertisement Spaun had a rough start to his Sunday, going 5-over in the first eight holes. But after a 96-minute weather delay, he regrouped and played his final seven holes three-under. JJ Spaun celebrates with his family and the championship trophy after winning the 125th U.S. Open golf Streicher-Imagn Images 'His U.S. Open win and consistent play has given him the No. 6 ranking in the #ComcastBusinessTOURTOP10,' the PGA Tour posted, celebrating his season-long form. It's been a breakout year for the 34-year-old former San Diego State Aztec. Spaun started 2025 ranked 109th in the world. After the U.S. Open win, he shot up to No. 8 in the OWGR and has now banked $9.644 million this season, trailing only Scottie Scheffler and Rory McIlroy. According to the PGA Tour schedule, Spaun has played in 16 tournaments so far. His highlights include a T3 finish at the Sony Open, T2 at the Cognizant Classic and T6 at the Charles Schwab Challenge. He also led at The Players before losing to McIlroy in a three-hole playoff. His U.S. Open win added a whopping $4.3 million to his season earnings. Advertisement A former standout at SDSU, Spaun was a two-time All-American and tied the school record with five individual wins. Now, he's not just a former college star—he's a U.S. Open champion, and maybe the hottest player on Tour right now. Related: J.J. Spaun's Wife Melody Spaun Makes Honest Revelation After US Open Victory This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jun 17, 2025, where it first appeared.
Business Journals
27-05-2025
- Business
- Business Journals
Comcast RISE to boost 100 Nashville small businesses
Small businesses in Nashville and surrounding areas can now apply for a grant package through the nationally recognized Comcast RISE program. Comcast RISE is all about uplifting local entrepreneurs, supporting the growth of small businesses, and our continued commitment to their success. This year, the program will provide 100 eligible small businesses in Nashville with comprehensive packages that include a technology makeover, creative production, a media schedule, educational resources, a $5,000 monetary grant and business consultation services. Comcast's Nashville Comcast Business team understands that small business owners are the economic and innovation engines of their communities, so directly supporting their success is essential. 'Small businesses are the heart of Nashville's economy, fueling innovation and creating opportunities for the entire community,' said Mike Thibodeaux, Comcast Business regional vice president. 'With Comcast RISE, we're proud to provide the resources and support entrepreneurs need to thrive. If you're looking to grow your business, this is the moment to seize.' expand Comcast Business Regional Vice President Mike Thibodeaux. Photo provided by Comcast According to a recent report from Axios Nashville, new business applications have surged in Tennessee in recent years, with Nashville as the clear leader driving the trend. Bringing Comcast RISE to Nashville is even more important in today's competitive environment. We've heard firsthand from previous Comcast RISE winners how the program gave them the resources to scale their business and reach more customers. 'Comcast RISE grant came at a crucial time for me and my business,' said Danielle McGee of Black Business Boom. 'Partnering with Comcast for free commercial production and placement opened doors that were previously closed. This kind of visibility is game-changing for a growing business that helps small business owners and entrepreneurs every day.' Now more than ever, businesses require fast, reliable and secure connectivity to power their technology and stand out from the competition. Together, the Comcast RISE program and Comcast Business services are delivering for small business owners. "When we received the Comcast RISE grant, we were still feeling the effects of COVID," said Tramaine Crook of Punches n' Bunches. "The grant allowed us to expand our virtual classes to bring in revenue. We still use the equipment we received, and the Wi-Fi allows the kids who come here to do their homework before training begins." Comcast Business is a leading provider of connectivity to U.S. small businesses, and with the Comcast RISE program, we can continue to work together with business owners to not only boost their business, but uplift entire communities. expand Photo provided by Comcast "The Comcast RISE grant allowed me to bring in additional assistance because when you bring someone else in, you need to have equipment for them to use," said Ash Kaneko of Ash Branding Co. "But even beyond the equipment, getting the grant was a boost of confidence that someone believed in my business." A total of 100 grants winners will be announced this August. This year's recipients will join the 14,000 entrepreneurs nationwide who have been supported through Comcast RISE with monetary, marketing and technology grants since the program launched in 2020. 'I still feel the positive effects of Comcast RISE on my business today,' said Memorie White of Providence Title. 'Our grant allowed me to take my business mobile, helping my clients close on their future homes remotely and my teamwork from home. Having quick, easy and secure access to our network anywhere is invaluable to our success.' Comcast is proud to reinforce its commitment to Nashville and the surrounding communities. Its goal is to elevate small businesses while delivering unmatched reliability, security and value. This is the key to empowering even more businesses to be successful today, tomorrow and into the future. Comcast RISE is part of Project UP, the company's comprehensive initiative to create digital opportunity and help build a future of unlimited possibilities. More information on the application, eligibility requirements and details on how to apply are available at Apply now for a Comcast RISE grant package: Applications are open for eligible small businesses through May 31, 2025. Comcast Corporation (Nasdaq: CMCSA) is a global media and technology company. From the connectivity and platforms we provide to the content and experiences we create, our businesses reach hundreds of millions of customers, viewers and guests worldwide. We deliver world-class broadband, wireless and video through Xfinity, Comcast Business and Sky; produce, distribute and stream leading entertainment, sports and news through brands including NBC, Telemundo, Universal, Peacock and Sky; and bring incredible theme parks and attractions to life through Universal Destinations & Experiences. Visit for more information.
