Alan Llavore | Office of Marketing and Communications | (909) 537-5007 | allavore@csusb.edu
For Eisenhower High School students, artificial intelligence became more than an abstract technology during a recent presentation. It became a subject they could question, understand and potentially help shape.
Nabeel Alzahrani, a Cal State San Bernardino faculty member, introduced students in the high school’s cybersecurity class to artificial intelligence, large language models and AI agents through an interactive “AI for All” presentation.
“The goal is to make artificial intelligence understandable and accessible to students and help them see that they can be part of its future,” Alzahrani said. “We want students in our local communities to see higher education, STEM and research as opportunities that are within their reach.”
Alzahrani, a faculty member in CSUSB’s School of Computer Science and Engineering and co-founder of the Artificial Intelligence, Quantum Computing, Fusion Energy and Semiconductors Research and Training Lab, presented “AI for All: From AI Basics to Large Language Models and AI Agents” to students in the Rialto Unified School District high school’s cybersecurity class.
The presentation took place in early October at the school district’s Healing Garden where the FYRE (Field Youth Research and Experimentation) Curriculum is housed. Alzahrani introduced students to the foundations of artificial intelligence, large language models and AI agents. He also discussed how the technologies are transforming education, research, industry and everyday life. Students participated in a question-and-answer discussion about the opportunities and challenges associated with rapidly advancing artificial intelligence technologies.
“The AI talk gave me a new perspective on how artificial intelligence is transforming the way we learn, work and solve problems,” said Aliana Gaytan, a 17-year-old Eisenhower High School senior. “It inspired me to think more critically about the opportunities AI creates while also recognizing the importance of using it responsibly and ethically.”
The outreach introduced students to educational and career pathways in science, technology, engineering and mathematics, including computer science, artificial intelligence and cybersecurity. Students were encouraged to explore higher education, undergraduate research and technology careers, including opportunities to continue developing their interests at CSUSB and work with faculty on emerging technologies.
John Godinez, Eisenhower’s cybersecurity teacher, said the presentation helped students develop a deeper understanding of artificial intelligence.
“My students had mixed feelings about AI, mostly due to the misconceptions and misunderstandings about what it is,” Godinez said. “Dr. Alzahrani’s talk helped my students gain a much deeper understanding of how AI works, and I believe it will make a huge difference in how they leverage it in the future.”
Juanita Chan-Roden, Rialto Unified School District director of science and career programs, said events such as “AI for All” provide important exposure to emerging technologies for students and teachers.
“Exploring technologies like these with experts from our region reinforces that expertise comes from the Inland Empire and that representation matters for our students,” Chan-Roden said. “These opportunities help to instill the mental confidence that our students need to pursue advanced degrees in innovative technical fields.”
Connecting university faculty with local K-12 students strengthens pathways to higher education while expanding access to emerging fields and research opportunities. The outreach also supports CSUSB’s role in serving the Inland Empire by connecting university knowledge and expertise with the surrounding community.
The Rialto Unified School District highlighted the visit on one of its social media channels, noting the students’ curiosity and engagement as they explored artificial intelligence and asked questions following the presentation.