AI may be the biggest buzzword in technology, but what does it actually mean for audiovisual professionals and the spaces they support? In this episode of the Higher Ed AV Podcast, Joe Way welcomes Dan Litvin, co-founder and president of PureTek Group and co-founder of unRAVL, for a practical conversation about moving AI beyond the hype and into real-world AV workflows.
Dan explains how AI-powered control can make technology feel more human by allowing systems to adapt to the people using them, not forcing users to adapt to rigid programming. They explore personalized room experiences, natural-language control, open APIs, proactive system monitoring, automated audio and camera operation, and the convergence of AV with lighting, HVAC, security, scheduling, and other campus platforms.
The conversation also challenges higher education AV professionals to think beyond individual rooms and traditional support models. By using AI to create smarter, more flexible spaces, AV teams can improve the user experience, reduce operating costs, support sustainability, generate revenue, and demonstrate measurable institutional value. The future of AV leadership will not simply be about managing technology, it will be about using technology to solve the larger problems facing the institution.
Also in this episode:
- Why “making technology more human” does not mean removing humans
- How AI can personalize one room for dozens of different users and use cases
- Using AI as a translation layer between traditionally disconnected systems
- The importance of open APIs and interoperable technology ecosystems
- Moving from reactive support calls to proactive system management
- AI-assisted audio leveling, camera tracking, and room control
- Turning campus AV spaces into revenue-generating assets
- Why AV professionals must become managers, strategists, and business leaders
- Dan’s journey from engineering and yoga instruction to human-centered technology
- Why AI should eliminate tedious work and give people more time for what matters
Connect with Dan Litvin:
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dan-litvin-279…
PureTek Group: https://puretekgroup.com
unRAVL AI: https://unravl.net
