About the Talk:
Get a courtside view as Charlie Kurian, Director of Innovation & Strategy for the NBA’s San Antonio Spurs, leads the charge in AI adoption. With a human-centered leadership approach Charlie has fostered full team buy-in, sparking widespread enthusiasm for ChatGPT experimentation. In a short time, his team has built a rich repository of creative use cases, poised to drive real business impact.
Join us for a fireside chat between Kurian and OpenAI’s Wade Morgan as they explore the Spurs’ groundbreaking AI journey—the prolific use cases they’ve developed and the leadership strategy that made it possible.
As the first NBA team to scale AI adoption, the Spurs are true pioneers. Legacy organizations everywhere can gain valuable insights from Kurian’s experience, shared exclusively in the OpenAI Forum.
About the Speakers:
Charlie Kurian, Director of Innovation and Strategy at Spurs Sports & Entertainment
Charlie Kurian is a visionary leader at the forefront of sports innovation, combining a decade of experience in venture capital, consumer tech, SaaS, and global strategy to redefine industries and drive transformative growth. His innovative mindset has fueled projects generating over $500 million in revenue and has positioned the Spurs as pioneers in cutting-edge technology and business strategy.
From orchestrating the launch of the iPhone 6—the most popular iPhone in history—to reimagining the global business model for the RFK Center for Justice alongside Kerry Kennedy, Charlie has consistently turned bold ideas into impactful realities. He was instrumental in helping the NBA break into the Indian market, inspiring over 18 million kids across 5 years, and has earned the trust of sovereign wealth funds in the Middle East to steer billion-dollar investments into transformative early stage startups.
At Spurs Sports & Entertainment, Charlie has championed initiatives that blend innovation and strategy, making the organization a leader in sports technology. He led the adoption of AI-powered fan engagement platforms, integrated immersive technologies like AR/VR, and made history by launching the first-ever NBA team deployment of ChatGPT Enterprise. His work continues to drive cultural shifts and set new benchmarks in the industry.
Charlie’s expertise in human-centered design, behavioral science, and market strategy has shaped solutions replicated across industries, delivering value on a global scale. Whether shaping technology used by millions or forging pathways for next-generation innovation, Charlie’s ability to envision the future and execute with precision has made him a sought-after leader and trusted voice in business.
Wade Morgan, Account Director at OpenAI
Wade Morgan has a passion for innovative people and companies, particularly those who push boundaries and redefine the status quo. This admiration for trailblazers led to his deep love for the tech industry, a space Wade sees as fostering freedom and empowering individuals.
Wade began his career at LinkedIn in the Business Leadership Program, launching his journey into GTM and Sales as an Account Executive in Talent Solutions. He later joined Airtable as the company's second Account Executive, where he played a key role in laying the foundation for the Sales team during a period of rapid growth. Seeking to bridge the gap between GTM and product development, Wade transitioned to Airtable's Product team, contributing to the establishment of the company's Product Development Strategy and Operations function.
Currently, as a member of the GTM team at OpenAI, Wade is dedicated to helping organizations create transformational AI-driven experiences that benefit humanity.
Outside of work, Wade is an avid sneaker enthusiast and performance car aficionado. He admits to spending too much on sneakers and indulging in countless car reviews on YouTube.
