The iterative upgrading of artificial intelligence (AI) technology injects new momentum into the innovation of physical education theory teaching in colleges and universities, creating opportunities for optimizing teaching models. As a core theoretical course in physical education majors, “School Physical Education” faces challenges such as low student engagement, a lack of personalized guidance, and monotonous teaching methods in its traditional teaching model, which restricts the improvement of teaching quality. This study analyzes the current teaching status and issues of the course and explores innovative teaching paths empowered by AI. It finds that scientific application of AI can enhance teaching effectiveness, optimize resource allocation, and promote personalized learning, yet challenges such as insufficient integration of technology with teaching scenarios and the need for improved digital literacy among teachers remain. Based on these findings, this paper proposes practical paths, including constructing a hybrid teaching model of “AI diagnosis + teacher-led instruction” and strengthening the construction of smart teaching environments and resource platforms, to provide theoretical and practical support for the high-quality development of the course.