Mark Osis
Mark Osis is the Chief Technology Officer (CTO) of Deloitte's Office, where he focuses on the societal and business impacts of emerging technologies. He contributes to research and discourse on the application of technology, particularly artificial intelligence, to address complex global challenges and industry-specific problems.
Education
Between 2014 and 2018, Mark Osis attended The George Washington University School of Business, where he completed a Bachelor’s degree in Finance. Alongside his academic program, he participated in various university-affiliated organizations and initiatives. Osis held the role of Student-Athlete President and was a member of the university’s NCAA Division I Baseball Team.
His involvement extended to leadership development programs, including the Student-Athlete Leadership Academy. He was also involved in faith-based and community-oriented activities, contributing to the establishment of the Fellowship of Christian Athletes chapter at the university and founding a student initiative known as Project 25:40.
Throughout his undergraduate years, Osis was recognized by the institution with several awards, including those named in honor of Martin Luther King Jr., Red Auerbach, and Warren Fulton. He appeared on the Dean’s List and was listed as a national finalist for the NCAA Senior CLASS Award.
Career
Mark Osis serves as a Senior Consultant in the Office of the CTO (NExT) at Deloitte. In this role, he is an active participant in the firm's internal technology research and discussion forums. One such group is the AI Braintrust, a bi-weekly assembly of over 90 members dedicated to candid conversations about the capabilities and potential risks of artificial intelligence. The group shares and analyzes academic papers, product demonstrations, new tools, and hypotheses related to AI. Osis has contributed to these discussions by leading presentations on specialized topics, including the integration of artificial intelligence within the sports industry.
In a November 2024 article titled "The Lever Long Enough: How tech moves the world," Osis argues that technology is the modern equivalent of the lever described by Archimedes, possessing the power to "move the world." He acknowledges public criticism of the tech sector regarding issues like privacy, market power, and societal harm, but contends that this perspective is incomplete. Citing Arthur C. Clarke's observation that "Any sufficiently advanced technology is indistinguishable from magic," Osis posits that the profound capabilities of modern tools, from generative AI to advanced rocketry, create immense potential for both good and evil.
He frames the central question as what positive actions can be accomplished with these new tools. To illustrate his point, Osis provides several examples of technology being applied to significant global problems:
- Preventing Human Trafficking: He highlights the use of AI by startups and law enforcement to combat human trafficking, which affects an estimated 27 million people globally. Advanced AI algorithms can analyze vast amounts of security camera footage to identify victims, even from partial facial views, a task that is manually infeasible. Other applications involve using AI for pattern recognition and data analysis to uncover and map complex trafficking networks that exceed human analytical capabilities.
- Wildfire Management: Osis notes that with tens of thousands of wildfires occurring annually, technology is crucial for mitigation. He points out that the U.S. Department of the Interior, not the Department of Defense, is the largest consumer of drones. These drones are equipped with thermal imaging technology to detect and track forest fires, enabling faster response times and preventing extensive damage to property, wildlife, and the environment. He also mentions the future possibility of larger drones being used to deploy fire retardant directly.
- Access to Clean Water: Addressing the global water crisis, where over one billion people lack access to clean drinking water, Osis showcases the work of the company LifeStraw. He describes their development of a cost-effective, portable filter straw made from sustainable materials. Each straw can filter 1,000 gallons of water, and the initiative has provided clean water access to millions of children. [2] [1] [3]
AI in Sports Presentation
Osis delivered a presentation to Deloitte's AI Braintrust on the growing role of artificial intelligence in the sports industry. The presentation outlined the significant financial scale of the market, noting that the value of AI in sports was projected to grow from $1.4 billion in 2020 to $19.2 billion by 2030. He highlighted numerous use cases where AI and large language models (LLMs) are being applied to transform how sports are played, coached, and managed.
Key applications discussed in his presentation include:
- Automated Content Creation: Using LLMs to automatically splice game footage and generate highlight reels by identifying key moments.
- Strategic Planning: Employing transformer-based AI to assist coaches in developing game plans and strategies based on historical data and analysis of opponents.
- Player Analysis and Scouting: Leveraging generative AI to analyze player performance from video footage and using LLMs to process scouting reports and statistics for talent identification.
- Advanced Coaching and Fitness: Utilizing generative AI to simulate game scenarios for practice, provide real-time feedback, and create optimized, personalized diet and fitness plans for athletes based on data from wearables.
- Data Structuring: Converting unstructured game footage into structured, tagged data that can be used for in-depth analytical purposes.
- Dynamic Playbook Generation: Creating adaptive playbooks that evolve in real-time based on new data and opponent analysis.
- Real-Time Adjustments: Using AI algorithms for in-game analysis to suggest optimal strategic adjustments to coaches during a match.
These examples from his presentation illustrate a belief that AI is ushering in a new, data-driven era in sports, comparable to the "Moneyball" revolution. [1]
Views on Technology
Osis's writings express a nuanced view of technology as a powerful, dual-use tool. He frequently uses the metaphor of a "lever" to describe technology's capacity to act as a force multiplier, amplifying human intent for either positive or negative outcomes. He draws on a C.S. Lewis quote to articulate this point: "So great as anything's potential for good, equally great is its potential for evil."
He argues that the ultimate direction of technological progress is not predetermined but depends on the people and institutions that wield it. In his view, a lever is only as effective as the person using it. Therefore, to realize the positive potential of emerging technologies, he calls for a collective effort and a shared vision. He emphasizes that technological developments alone are insufficient; they must be accompanied by supportive policies, adequate funding, and effective deployment strategies. Osis advocates for legislators, business leaders, and innovators to look beyond short-term metrics like quarterly earnings and work collaboratively toward a "brighter, more equitable tomorrow."
His philosophy is further summarized by two quotes he often references: "Technology is a useful servant but a dangerous master," from Christian Lous Lange, and "Technology is best when it brings people together," from Matt Mullenweg. These selections underscore his belief in the necessity of human-centric and intentional approaches to technological development. [2]
Interviews
Health Comm Society Keynote #01
At the 2025 Health Communication Summit, Mark Osis presented an overview of how communication practices are evolving in response to technological change. His presentation approached the topic from a historical and systems-oriented perspective, outlining the progression of communication tools from early methods to contemporary digital platforms.
Osis described technological development as a process shaped by long-term patterns rather than isolated breakthroughs. He outlined a conceptual model consisting of three interrelated components: the interaction layer (interfaces between users and systems), the information layer (data processing and transmission), and the computation layer (underlying processing power). This framework was used to contextualize the integration of various technologies into communication systems.
The presentation referenced a range of technological domains, including spatial computing, decentralized systems, generative artificial intelligence, autonomous agents, ambient user experiences, brain-computer interfaces, and quantum computing. These technologies were positioned as developments that may influence areas such as health communication, data management, and service delivery infrastructure.
Artificial intelligence was characterized as a form of cognitive automation, referring to its capacity to manage repetitive or information-intensive tasks. Blockchain was presented as a mechanism to verify content integrity in environments where digital information is easily manipulated.
The session also included considerations related to the implementation of new technologies, including potential environmental impacts, shifts in required skill sets, and questions surrounding digital literacy and trust. Osis pointed to the relevance of broader societal frameworks, including ethical, cultural, and value-based considerations, in shaping the use and acceptance of these technologies within public communication contexts.
The presentation concluded with an emphasis on adaptability in professional practice, highlighting the relevance of cross-disciplinary knowledge and the ability to apply communication strategies in technologically dynamic settings. [4]