San Francisco Bay University We have started a partnership with OpenAI aimed at moving forward A.I.– Support education throughout teaching, learning, and education workforce preparation.
The announcement, made at a Fremont campus event, signals the university’s intent to integrate artificial intelligence more directly into its instruction and career preparation programs.
The partnership was launched during a campus gathering that brought together students, faculty, academic leaders, and AI experts to explore how higher education is adapting to rapid technological change. The program included a showcase of student hackathons focused on applied AI projects, as well as a panel discussion and live Q&A with Sam Combs from the OpenAI Education team.
University leaders are positioning this partnership as part of a broader strategy to embed AI fluency into the core of academics, rather than treating it as an add-on tool.
“AI is not just a tool; it is a transformational layer in education,” says Shalini Gopalkrishnan, AI strategist at SFBU. “Our goal is to enable students to go beyond passively using AI and learn how to build with it, think critically, and apply it ethically. This partnership accelerates our mission to embed AI fluency into the core of the student experience.”
From AI access to AI fluency
During the panel discussion, Combs emphasized developing tool fluency, critical thinking, and a builder’s mindset. The conversation focused less on novelty and more on practical integration, including how AI-powered personalized learning will evolve within existing higher education structures.
Students presented AI-powered solutions that address interview preparation, career readiness, personalized learning support, and academic productivity. The hackathon format served as an applied learning lab, with projects tailored to real-world use cases rather than theoretical exploration.
The structure of this event reflects the growing shift at universities, moving from debating whether to allow AI tools to designing programs that teach students how to use AI tools responsibly and effectively.
Ethics, transparency and curriculum integration
According to university leaders, the OpenAI partnership supports an ethics-centered approach to AI adoption. Plans include embedding AI across the curriculum, expanding student access to AI tools, supporting faculty in responsible AI implementation, and strengthening transparency and academic integrity standards.
The event was hosted by the University’s Strategy and Innovation team, led by Elton Lee, Director of IT, and Dr. Heather Herrera, Vice President for Strategy and Innovation.
By entering into a formal partnership with OpenAI, SFBU is aligning its AI strategy with key industry players, with a focus on critical engagement and ethical deployment. As higher education institutions grapple with AI integration, the focus is shifting from individual pilot programs to structured implementation, governance, and workforce alignment.
ETIH Innovation Award 2026
The ETIH Innovation Awards 2026 are currently open and recognize educational technology organizations that are driving measurable impact across K-12, higher education, and lifelong learning. The award welcomes applications from the UK, the Americas and overseas, and applications will be assessed on the basis of evidence of achievement and practical application.
