Reading FC has launched a new education partnership with Setanta College focused on sports technology and artificial intelligence, a move that follows a high-profile AI summit at the club's Bearwood Park training complex. The summit on Friday brought together representatives from Paris Saint-Germain, Ajax, Crystal Palace, and Como FC to discuss the future of technology in football.
Stuart Fenton, appointed as Reading's Head of AI, said the club's pioneering role means separating practical applications from hype. "Being the first Head of AI in English football mostly means separating what actually works from what just sounds good," Fenton told attendees. Chairman Rob Couhig stated the appointment and summit reflect an ambition to be forward-thinking, with AI already applied in areas from recruitment to groundskeeping at the League One club.
The new programme with Setanta College is designed for professionals already working in sport and will be delivered online. Its first intake is expected in March 2027. Sean Hogan of Setanta College emphasized that AI will change, not replace, roles for coaches and analysts, aiming to equip people to lead technological change.
This off-field innovation comes as Reading sit ninth in League One with 11 points from seven games. The club's current form and standings position provide the competitive context for these long-term strategic investments.
The report in full is at Reading Chronicle
