The university’s inaugural NextTech Kern isn’t expected to delve deeply into the thornier aspects of AI, like predicting what careers will suffer the most or least job losses. Instead, the event is intended to give attendees an understanding of how the technology will affect their education, benefit their workplace and alter their digital safety.
Organizer Chris Diniz, associate vice president and chief information officer at CSUB, said the plan is to bring together people from across Kern County to prepare for technology he called transformational. He expects to see industry leaders in the audience, as well as students in grade school.
“It’s really meant to be a community event,” he said. “We have to prepare our community. We have to prepare our people.”
Panelists and vendors expected to attend will include representatives of some of the biggest names in AI and high technology, including Open AI, Amazon Web Services and Apple.
The speaker list has not been finalized, but the university has identified the keynote speaker: Rep. Vince Fong, R-Bakersfield. He said in a statement he is honored to take part in the event.
“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,” Fong stated.
“By fostering collaboration between education, industry and community,” he added, “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.”
Faculty members at CSUB have done research on AI, and Diniz said some of them have looked at how the technology can be integrated into classroom learning as a form of assistance. Attendees can expect to learn about some of those lessons.
As part of the education focus, professionals with the Kern High School District will be represented on panels at the event.
Business applications expected to be discussed at the event will include medicine and agriculture, as well as customer service.
Diniz said the plan is to have panelists talk about the ethical implications of AI in business settings. There will also be tips for using AI as a tool in the workplace, he said.
“This (AI) is one way to make us more efficient,” he said.
Cybersecurity, the third emphasis, will consider AI’s heightened threat potential. Diniz said a session will focus on how people can protect themselves from digital scams.
The event will take place in the university’s Student Recreation Center and its Student Union Multipurpose Room. The university hopes to attract more than 500 attendees, including 100 local high school students.
Information about the event, along with a registration portal, is available online at https://www.csub.edu/nexttechkern/index.shtml.
© 2025 The Bakersfield Californian (Bakersfield, Calif.). Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.
