How AI in AV Programming Is Changing the Game for Control Pros

Insights from Programmers Using AI to Work Smarter, Not Slower 

AI in AV programming isn’t a distant concept, it’s already reshaping how control systems are designed, coded, and supported. In episode 128 of A State of Control, host Steve Greenblatt brought together three veteran voices to explore what artificial intelligence means for the AV control community, and how it’s impacting real-world workflows. 

Rather than hype or fear, this conversation focused on the practical: how AV programmers are integrating AI into their daily work, and what that means for the future of control system design. 

AI as an AV Workflow Assistant 

“AI is a solution looking for a problem,” said longtime programmer and co-host Rich Fregosa. “It’s a torrent of information, and AI is our strainer helping us filter what we need.” That image of AI as a tool for managing information overload sets the tone for a grounded look at what’s actually happening with AI in AV programming today. 

Fregosa emphasized that while the technology is paradigm-shifting, it’s not replacing the need for programmers. Instead, it’s giving them new ways to work more efficiently and creatively. 

Real Use Cases in AV Development 

Dave Hatz, VP of Machine Intelligence at CTI, brought examples straight from the field. “When I get an API document, I don’t read it. I throw it into Claude or ChatGPT and ask it to explain itself,” he shared. “It’s not perfect, but it gets me started faster than parsing 47 pages myself.” 

Hatz uses AI tools like GitHub Copilot to understand legacy code, generate test routines, and even suggest improvements. For him, AI in AV programming isn’t theoretical it’s a daily accelerator. “You’re still responsible for the code. AI just helps you get to the outcome quicker.” 

Scaling Skillsets Without Sacrificing Quality 

At PepperDash Technology, CTO Sumanth Rayancha is helping his team adopt AI tools across development and project management. GitHub Copilot is now standard for junior developers, and meeting tools like Zoom’s AI Companion streamline requirement gathering. “We used to rely on notes and memory. Now we get searchable summaries and action items right after the call,” he said. 

Still, Rayancha noted a key challenge: prompting. “If you don’t provide context like your UI framework or coding style you’ll get bloated or inaccurate results. We had to train our team to treat the AI like a collaborator, not a mind reader.” 

What This Means for the Next Generation 

One question came up more than once: is AI in AV programming a threat to jobs? 

Fregosa was quick to dismiss the idea. “It’s the new ‘no programming required.’ That pitch has been around forever. But AV is still a people business, and most clients don’t care how the job gets done. They care that you get it done.” 

Hatz took it a step further: “AI gives newer workers superpowers. They don’t have to be senior devs to produce value. That helps us scale talent in a space that’s already struggling to bring in the next generation.” 

Rayancha agreed, while offering a note of caution. “We’re not quite there yet, but the direction is clear. And honestly, people from non-technical backgrounds, especially those good at communication, may be the ones who thrive with prompting.” 

Final Take: Tinker, Test, and Take the Leap 

If there’s one message the panel agreed on, it’s that getting started with AI in AV programming doesn’t require a complete overhaul. 

“Start by tinkering,” said Greenblatt. “Spend five minutes a day with these tools. You’ll be surprised how quickly it clicks.” 

Whether you’re leading a team, running your own shop, or just trying to keep up, the AI wave in AV isn’t something to fear, it’s something to shape. And like every other shift in control system programming, the pros who adapt will be the ones who lead. 

Go here to listen to the full episode of A State of Control.