These participants, who represent a full spectrum of generations, economic backgrounds, and educational levels, will access the training via San Diego State University’s Global Campus, which offers undergraduate, graduate, and advanced certificate programs in an online and/or hybrid modality.
“AI-Ready California reflects the best of what public education can do when we work together to expand opportunity for students, workers, and communities. San Diego Community College District is proud to help launch this effort because AI literacy must be accessible to Californians across every background, zip code, and stage of life. As AI continues to reshape learning and work, community colleges have an essential role in helping eliminate equity gaps in education and employment while preparing our students and communities to participate fully in the future economy,” said Gregory Smith, Chancellor, San Diego Community College District.
Developed in partnership with the California Community Colleges, California State University system, Amazon Web Services, Instructure, and with support from the James Irvine Foundation, AI-Ready California is a statewide initiative developed through the CSU–Industry AI Workforce Acceleration Board to provide foundational AI literacy education to all Californians.
“AI-Ready California reflects what public higher education does best: bringing together education, industry and government to expand opportunity and prepare Californians for the future of work. Building on San Diego State University's early leadership in AI education, we are expanding this work with our partners to make foundational AI literacy accessible to more Californians, ensuring that more people have the skills and confidence to thrive in our changing economy,” said Dr. Adela de la Torre, President, San Diego State University.
Upon completion, participants will receive a micro-credential that can:
- Serve as an entry point to additional learning opportunities through industry partners and academic institutions;
- Provide access to workforce development resources;
- Function as an accessible growth opportunity for employees; and
- Signal AI literacy to employers.
“AI literacy is essential to thriving in our rapidly changing economy. With AI-Ready California, we’re working to ensure Californians, regardless of background or experience, have the skills and confidence they need to use AI responsibly and productively. Our partnership with higher education and industry reflects a shared commitment to preparing Californians for the future of work through expanded access to learning today,” said Stewart Knox, Secretary of the California Labor & Workforce Development Agency.
The AI-Ready California initiative offers an accessible, online learning experience built around two interconnected learning dimensions:
- Civics & Responsibility – Participants learn to use AI safely and responsibly, with emphasis on privacy, data protection, and appropriate use.
- Career & Workforce Readiness – Learners gain practical skills to leverage AI for productivity, job-seeking, and long-term adaptability in an AI-augmented labor market.
“Artificial intelligence has rapidly become a foundational skill for work, much like digital literacy became a generation ago. AI-Ready California is about ensuring every Californian has the opportunity to build the knowledge, judgment, and confidence to use AI responsibly and effectively, regardless of their background or career path -- and to be competitive for our changing workforce. Through this partnership among higher education, government, and industry, we are creating an accessible on-ramp that prepares people not just to use today's AI tools, but to adapt and thrive as work continues to evolve,” said Dr. James P. Frazee, Chief Information Officer (CIO), San Diego State University, Executive Committee Member, California State University AI Workforce Acceleration Board.
For more information about AI-Ready California, including enrollment details and program requirements visit SDSU's Globalcampus.