Howard University’s men’s basketball team sparked conversation on campus after using artificial intelligence (AI) to unveil its 2025-26 schedule. The decision, meant to showcase innovation and creativity, instead raised questions about authenticity, representation and the role of AI in Howard’s creative community.
Released to social media on Oct. 2, the video featured visuals and transitions created with AI to showcase the team’s upcoming opponents. While Will McKinley, Howard men’s basketball creative director, explained the goal was to use AI as a tool to enhance the project’s quality, some students and creatives viewed it as a missed opportunity to showcase real Howard talent.
McKinley said the team drew inspiration from the Los Angeles Chargers’ viral 2022 anime-themed schedule release.
“We wanted to bring that same creative energy to the college level,” McKinley said. “A lot of our players are big anime fans, so we wanted something that would really speak to students and get them excited.”
Elena Okon, a freshman English major, said she was initially impressed by the anime-themed video but was disappointed once she learned AI had been used.
“It’s really nice to see something creative like this, but Howard has so many students who are more than capable and willing to work, even for free, to represent the university,” Okon said. “Using AI in this way takes opportunities away from students and hurts the creative community.”
AI is becoming more common in sports media and entertainment, powering everything from algorithm-generated highlights to automated motion graphics and digital storytelling tools that are changing how fans consume sports content.
A 2024 Capgemini report found that more than half of sports fans now rely on AI or generative AI tools for sports content, with 59 percent saying they trust AI-generated updates and highlights.
However, those same advances have raised concerns about authenticity and creative displacement.
Artists, writers and filmmakers worry that AI could diminish opportunities for human expression, especially within communities like Howard’s, where students look for creative outlets.
McKinley said the team had only a month to produce the video once the schedule was finalized, which made it difficult to rely solely on student creators.
“It’s not that I didn’t try to involve students,” McKinley said. “I reached out to the College of Fine Arts, but we just didn’t have enough time or resources to build something from scratch.”
He added that using AI was not about replacing Howard creators but about adapting to changing technology.
“AI is just a tool,” McKinley said. “It shouldn’t take away opportunities from anyone, but sometimes it helps us meet tight deadlines and still produce something creative.”
From the media team’s perspective, the project was also a collaborative effort between staff and student managers.
“Our relationship with the players is hand in hand,” McKinley said. “We want their feedback and input because they’re the ones driving the content.”
Adrian Owusu, a 2023 Howard alumnus, said people may be overlooking the time and resources required to create an animated project like the one used in the reveal.
“People don’t realize how long it takes to make something like that,” Owusu said. “Even indie animations can take months to finish. With classes, budgets and a short turnaround before the season, it just wouldn’t be realistic.”
Jeremy Gay, a DreamWorks Animation intern and manga creator, expressed concern about AI replacing human creativity.
“AI is useful for some things, but it’s effectively not your own creation,” Gay, 2025 Howard alumnus said. “People put blood, sweat and tears into their work. AI can’t replicate that, and when it’s used in place of student creators, it stifles the young talent we have here at Howard.”
The broader debate reflects a growing tension between innovation and identity, a question of how institutions like Howard can embrace technological change without losing their cultural voice.
Howard has long been a hub for Black artistry known for nurturing filmmakers, journalists and designers whose work centers on authentic representation.
Experts say universities are key spaces for navigating AI’s impact.
Joy Buolamwini, founder of the Algorithmic Justice League, has emphasized that “AI reflects the biases and intentions of those who create and deploy it.”
For many students, that underscores the need for Howard to maintain control over how its image is produced and shared.
Still, others argue that dismissing AI altogether could limit opportunities for growth. As AI tools evolve, understanding and using them responsibly could prepare students for future careers in industries increasingly shaped by automation.
Okon said she hopes the university will prioritize student creators in future projects.
“Howard has so many passionate art students,” Okon said. “They should be the first people the university reaches out to. AI is cheap and quick, but it’s taking opportunities from students who could be building portfolios and gaining real-world experience.”
McKinley said he welcomes that conversation and hopes future projects include even more collaboration.
“We’re always open to students who want to get involved,” McKinley said. “If anybody’s interested, come on down. We’d love to work together and keep pushing creativity forward.”
As the Bison gear up for their upcoming season, the discussion surrounding the AI-generated schedule continues to resonate across campus. Whether regarded as a bold experiment or a contentious choice, it has prompted Howard to grapple with a broader question: how to embrace innovation while remaining faithful to the values, voices, and creative talent that define the university.
Copy edited by Daryl R. Thomas Jr.
