About 250 area high school and community college students learned how to put artificial intelligence, or AI, to practical use at a symposium at UC Riverside on Sept. 5.

The daylong event, hosted by the Inland Empire Regional K-16 Education Collaborative, explored how generative AI is reshaping education, career pathways, and the workforce.

The symposium welcomed 250 participants, including 200 high school juniors and seniors and 50 college students and educators from schools and districts across San Bernardino and Riverside counties.

The symposium included hands-on workshops and interactive sessions where students learned how to apply AI tools to college applications, academic success, and career readiness. Workshop activities included programming robots using real-time inputs and crafting detailed prompts.

“This symposium reflects our ongoing work to ensure Inland Empire students and families are prepared for the future of work and equipped with the knowledge and resources they need to succeed in a rapidly evolving digital economy,” said Alex Ruiz, director of the Inland Empire Regional K-16 Education Collaborative.