TLDR: California State University (CSU) has awarded grants through its Artificial Intelligence Educational Innovations Challenge to three instructors at Cal State Monterey Bay (CSUMB). These grants, part of a $3 million systemwide initiative, will support the instructors in integrating AI into their curriculum, developing adaptable models for AI use, and preparing students for an AI-driven future.
Three dedicated instructors from Cal State Monterey Bay (CSUMB) are at the forefront of a significant educational shift, having recently received grants from the California State University (CSU) system’s Artificial Intelligence Educational Innovations Challenge Awards. This initiative aims to embed artificial intelligence into the curriculum across the CSU system, preparing students for an increasingly AI-infused world.
The CSU Chancellor’s Office has allocated a total of $3 million to 63 programs across its 23 universities, specifically to foster new AI programs that demonstrate the potential for transformative teaching methods, groundbreaking research, and a proactive approach to addressing concerns about AI adoption within academia. The grants will enable the CSUMB instructors to pave the way for ethical and effective AI use in the classroom.
Among the recipients is Erin Ramirez, an associate professor with CSUMB’s College of Education. Ramirez plans to utilize her grant to bolster an educator preparation program, integrating AI technology into seven core classes required for students pursuing a secondary teaching credential. Her curriculum will emphasize the ethical uses of AI and strategies for teaching AI concepts to students in grades 6 through 12. Ramirez underscored the importance of this approach, stating, “If we turn our backs on AI, we’re doing everyone a disservice. Let’s harness it for good and teach students how to use it, when it’s appropriate and when it’s not.” She drew a parallel between the current introduction of AI and the advent of the internet three decades ago, noting, “The way we used to think about search engines is how I now think about AI.”
Another grant recipient, Lecturer Jill Hosmer-Jolley, has developed four general education courses on AI, designed to be taken over a four-year track. Her objective is to cultivate AI-literate students, ensuring they are well-prepared for the professional landscape. “The main thing is to get them ready for the outside world,” Hosmer-Jolley explained. “They’ll go into the workplace and be able to help that workplace adapt processes using AI technology.” These courses are designed as adaptable models, potentially serving as blueprints for other institutions.
The CSU’s Artificial Intelligence Educational Innovations Challenge, launched in April, invited faculty from all campuses to propose innovative instructional strategies leveraging AI tools. The response was overwhelming, with over 400 proposals submitted by more than 750 faculty members systemwide. Each CSU campus will host at least two funded projects. The initiative’s core goals include encouraging faculty to explore AI literacies and competencies, ensuring meaningful student engagement with AI, and examining the ethics of AI use in higher education to promote academic integrity.
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Nathan Evans, CSU deputy vice chancellor of Academic and Student Affairs and Chief Academic Officer, highlighted the significance of this endeavor: “CSU faculty and staff aren’t just adopting AI—they are reimagining what it means to teach, learn and prepare students for an AI-infused world.” He added that the sheer number of funded projects underscores the CSU’s strong commitment to innovation and academic excellence. These initiatives, which commenced in June 2025 and will continue through June 2026, are expected to explore and demonstrate effective AI integration in student learning, with findings shared systemwide to maximize their impact and prepare students to engage with AI strategically, ethically, and successfully in California’s rapidly evolving workforce.
