Silicon Valley Leadership Group’s Institute for California AI Policy Announces First-Ever AI Fellowship Program

The Silicon Valley Leadership Group Foundation (SVLGF) has unveiled a new initiative aimed at developing a cutting-edge AI and machine learning curriculum for community colleges throughout the greater Bay Area. In collaboration with the Deloitte Foundation, SVLGF will hire two fellows to create this curriculum. The Foothill-DeAnza Community College District will partner with SVLGF on its inaugural AI Fellowship Program, designed to prepare a diverse workforce for the rapidly advancing field of artificial intelligence, which is expected to significantly influence California’s innovation economy.

As part of the program, two graduate researchers from SVLG’s Institute for California AI Policy (I-CAP) will lead the development of the new STEM curriculum focused on AI and machine learning. They will work closely with educators at Foothill College and DeAnza College to implement the curriculum during the 2024-2025 academic year.

The program aims to achieve two main goals:

1. **Develop an Innovative AI Curriculum:** The PhD fellows will collaborate with community college deans, faculty, and staff to create and implement a state-of-the-art AI curriculum. This effort will ensure that the program meets the colleges’ academic standards and addresses the specific needs of their diverse student populations.

2. **Produce a Comprehensive White Paper:** A white paper detailing the curriculum development process and best practices will be created as part of the fellowship. This resource will assist other schools across California in replicating the successful AI and machine learning curriculum developed at Foothill College and DeAnza College.

By focusing on community colleges in the Bay Area, this initiative seeks to bridge the gap in AI education and provide equitable access to skills essential for success in an AI-driven economy.

The I-CAP AI Fellowship Program builds on SVLGF’s efforts since 2018 to facilitate partnerships between companies and colleges, which have successfully reskilled and upskilled thousands of students in various technical fields. This new AI-focused curriculum will further these efforts, equipping students from diverse backgrounds for the evolving job market.

Launched in December 2023, I-CAP’s mission is to foster public-private partnerships to develop informed, balanced, and effective AI policies and regulations by bringing together educators, policymakers, and industry leaders.

As AI technology continues to advance and reshape industries, initiatives like this are crucial in developing a skilled and diverse workforce across California. The I-CAP AI Fellowship Program reflects a strong commitment to inclusive AI education and workforce development, preparing the next generation of students for success in the innovation economy.