Cal State Bakersfield to hold free AI conference for 500+ community members on October 2nd

Cal State Bakersfield will host its inaugural NextTech Kern conference on October 2, bringing together industry leaders, students, and community members to explore practical applications of artificial intelligence across education, business, and cybersecurity. The free event aims to prepare Kern County residents for what organizers describe as transformational technology, featuring representatives from major tech companies including OpenAI, Amazon Web Services, and Apple.

What you should know: The conference takes a practical approach to AI education rather than diving into controversial topics like job displacement predictions.

• Organizer Chris Diniz, CSUB’s associate vice president and chief information officer, designed the event as a community-wide preparation effort for AI integration.
• The university expects over 500 attendees, including 100 local high school students, with participants ranging from industry leaders to grade school students.
• Rep. Vince Fong, R-Bakersfield, will deliver the keynote address at the Student Recreation Center and Student Union Multipurpose Room.

Education focus: CSUB faculty will share research on integrating AI into classroom learning as an educational assistance tool.

• Kern High School District professionals will participate in panel discussions about AI’s role in K-12 education.
• The conference will demonstrate how AI can enhance learning experiences while maintaining educational integrity.

Business applications: Sessions will cover AI implementation across multiple industries relevant to the Central Valley economy.

• Medicine and agriculture will be highlighted as key sectors for AI adoption, alongside customer service applications.
• Panelists will address ethical implications of AI in business settings and provide practical tips for workplace integration.
• “This (AI) is one way to make us more efficient,” Diniz explained.

Cybersecurity emphasis: The conference will address AI’s dual role as both a security tool and potential threat vector.

• A dedicated session will focus on protecting individuals from AI-powered digital scams and cybersecurity risks.
• Attendees will learn defensive strategies against increasingly sophisticated AI-driven cyber threats.

What they’re saying: Political and educational leaders emphasize the region’s potential to lead AI innovation.

• “Artificial intelligence is transforming the way we learn, work and grow, and the Central Valley is uniquely positioned to be at the forefront of this innovation,” Rep. Fong stated.
• “By fostering collaboration between education, industry and community, we can drive economic growth, empower families and businesses, and ensure that the next generation has the tools to succeed in a rapidly changing world,” he added.
• “It’s really meant to be a community event,” Diniz said. “We have to prepare our community. We have to prepare our people.”

Registration details: Interested participants can register for the free conference through CSUB’s dedicated event website at https://www.csub.edu/nexttechkern/index.shtml.