This fall, San Jose State University introduced a new college focused on equipping students with the knowledge and skills needed for the rapidly advancing fields of AI and technology. The new College of Information, Data, and Society is designed to prepare students not only for the technological jobs of the future but also for the ethical challenges that come with them.

Administrators at SJSU highlighted the significance of adapting quickly to the fast-paced evolution of the tech world. “We are really trying to be responsive to the world around us. That means you might have to move at a speed that we might not always be comfortable with,” said SJSU Provost Vincent Del Casino, emphasizing the need to stay ahead in preparing students for the job market.

This new college is the first of its kind within the California State University system, offering students access to cutting-edge tools and resources. We got a behind-the-scenes look at the labs where students aren’t just experimenting with the latest tech but are also actively creating new applications and uses for these technologies. These projects range from developing apps that help people navigate the university’s campus to building virtual reality spaces that help preserve the oral histories of a Montana tribe.

Crystal Fausett, an assistant professor at SJSU, shared her thoughts on how AI is shaping the future of work. “I think a lot of what’s going on with artificial intelligence now is going to inform the way that people work in the future. So we’re preparing our students for that. They’re going to be working in jobs that we can’t even fathom today,” Fausett said.

For students like Erika Naulu, a second-year majoring in library and information science, the new college provides an opportunity to explore the potential of technology in a supportive environment. She explained how the school’s offerings are helping students like herself prepare for roles in tech. “Because I know a lot of people get scared when they think of tech. They’re just kind of like, ‘we don’t know. AI and robots, we don’t want that.’ So I think having the lab to show this can be so beneficial for education and even for companies,” Naulu shared.

The College of Information, Data, and Society offers a wide range of classes, including those focused on artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, and data science. These courses are available not only to students in tech-related majors but also to those in other fields, providing them with the tools to navigate a future where technology is an integral part of many industries. The first courses began this semester, and there are plans to introduce more majors in the future, ensuring students are well-prepared for a variety of careers in the evolving tech landscape.