By Denise Calderon and Brynn Waite, May 6, 2025
Cal Poly Pomona has partnered with Avanade to launch a new artificial intelligence initiative after and signing an agreement for the new Avanade AI & Innovation Center, which was created as part of the California State University system’s goal to become the nation’s first and largest AI-powered university system.
Microsoft has been a significant supporter of the AI initiative and has helped CPP evolve in various technological areas. John McGuthry, the president and chief information officer of information technology and institutional planning, spoke about the impact Microsoft has had on the initiative.
“Microsoft moved into the AI space,” McGuthry said.“They took on a huge role with artificial intelligence in their implementations. They’ve historically had a relationship with us, and they’ve been very interested in supporting our student-run data center, and they also have been very supportive of our cybersecurity initiatives.”
McGuthry said a roadmap has been designed for the past couple of months to help faculty become successful when using AI at CPP, including five different areas to help faculty, staff and students use AI.
The first area discusses how Microsoft wants to help faculty understand the tools, how to use them and what AI means. The second area describes helping faculty who are interested in conducting research and how AI can assist with high-performance computing systems and data analysis.
The third area covers helping students become proficient with what CPP has to offer, as well as the clubs that cater to students at all levels. The fourth area is about learning how to use AI more efficiently, like using AI for business in areas like human resources, IT and accounting, and the fifth area emphasizes how the community can benefit from the AI initiative.
McGuthry said the partnership with Microsoft has helped students, especially graduates, consult within an AI space. This then led to the initiative to rent space near campus by Innovation Brew Works to run part of their consulting business, which is led by five graduates who work and engage in AI-related activities.
Other spaces, like the Innovation Hub, create opportunities for students to collaborate and have a support system that helps them on their educational and professional journeys. Santino Lopez, the program coordinator at the Innovation Hub, discussed the services provided to CPP students and the community.
“The goal of the hub is to be a support space for local entrepreneurs, people with established businesses or people who want to start businesses, ”Lopez said. “We do what we can to serve those people and help them in their successes.”
At the hub, the staff focuses on helping people in the community access professionals in the area who can offer insights, as well as machinery and tools that can help community members with their businesses. Lopez said AI is a good stepping stone for people when they learn to use it successfully, to open opportunities and to learn skills that interest them. This is especially true in cases where students are too shy to talk to professors and gain the insight needed to achieve their goals.
The Avanade partnership will aim to ensure students have access to their educational needs and their future career needs, along with the partnership the CSU system currently has with leading tech companies like Adobe and LinkedIn to create an AI-empowered, higher-education system, according to the CSU.
The CSU system plans to implement multiple AI strategies across its 23 campuses to enhance teaching, learning and skill development for students and faculty. ChatGPT Edu is a campus-based system offered to all students and employees who need it.
“It’s critical for CSU students to gain AI literacy and have experience with emerging AI technologies so they are best prepared to enter the workforce,” CSU spokesperson Hazel Kelly said. “The CSU’s AI Workforce Acceleration Board will guide a series of AI challenges that encourage CSU students and faculty to work together on pressing issues, such as climate adaptation and housing affordability, leveraging AI technologies to create impactful solutions.”
There will also be opportunities for students and faculty to collaborate with leaders in the AI space to solve complex, real-world challenges while also partaking in internships to gain more insight and knowledge.
“As part of the quickly evolving AI educational landscape, CSU faculty have already begun to integrate cognitive engagement with AI tools into their instructional strategies,” Kelly said. “AI is an emerging tool, and we anticipate many applications to leverage these technologies to support learning and student research.”
Feature image courtesy of Brynn Waite