In a significant move to bolster AI education across California, the San Diego Supercomputer Center (SDSC) at UC San Diego and the Corporation for Education Network Initiatives in California (CENIC) have joined forces to launch the CENIC AI Resource (CENIC AIR), a pivotal program aimed at weaving artificial intelligence and machine learning into the fabric of public education, encompassing K-12, community colleges, and university campuses. The initiative reflects a deep-seated commitment to fostering the next generation of academics and thought leaders in the burgeoning field of AI, as reported by UC San Diego's news center.
According to a statement obtained by UC San Diego, Frank Würthwein, director of the SDSC, expressed the importance of the program by saying, "Artificial intelligence and machine learning present new career possibilities for today’s students. These next-generation academics and innovators will be able to move more seamlessly through and between the different segments of public education. CENIC AIR was devised in anticipation of the impacts these future leaders will have on society, and we are passionate about being a key part of it." At a recent meeting, the CENIC board was briefed on the collaborative effort by UC San Diego representatives and affiliates from various educational institutions, solidifying the multi-layered educational coalition's commitment to this groundbreaking infrastructure.
The support for CENIC AIR isn't just conceptual, it's tangible within the state's educational circles: nine CSU campuses and Miramar College are actively engaged with the resource, leveraging it to enhance students’ exposure to and comprehension of AI technologies. This engagement enables students to transcend traditional educational boundaries, equipping them with cutting-edge knowledge and skills poised to redefine industries and societal functionalities.
The TIDE Project, a partnership between SDSC and SDSU, expands CENIC AIR's resources to more CSU campuses, enhancing California's access to advanced computing. After winning the 2024 Innovations in Networking Award for Equitable Access, CENIC's CEO Louis Fox expressed pride in how the CENIC network supports research and education, creating new opportunities. This effort aims to integrate AI into California’s education system and reshape its academic landscape.
