Blog: Democratizing Artificial Intelligence with the AI Student Collective
With the launch of the College of Engineering's AI Center in Engineering in the College of Letters and Sciences' Center for Artificial Intelligence and Experimental Futures, the University of California, Davis, is leading the way in foundational AI research as well as translational applications and AI education efforts.
Organizations like the AI Student Collective, or AISC, allow students to make their own opportunities in the AI space. Prati Mehta, a second-year cognitive science and statistics double major and director of content strategy for the organization’s UC Davis chapter, discusses how AISC @ UC Davis is working to make AI accessible to all students and bridge the gap between academia and the real-world tech landscape.
The AISC is a global network of undergraduate student organizations powered by Humans for AI, built on three foundational pillars: accessibility, literacy and diversity.
When AISC opened its founding branch at UC Davis in January 2023, its purpose was clear: to lower the barrier of entry to the tech space and create opportunities accessible to anyone and everyone eager to join the community and who may be searching for careers in technology.
With branches now at UC Santa Cruz, UC San Diego, UC Riverside, the University of Texas at Dallas and the University of Washington, AISC has become a national presence. Despite this growth, our mission remains rooted in creating accessible AI literacy through high-impact events, pre-professional programs and technical workshops.
AISC @ UC Davis is determined to create a space where students can build skills, gain exposure and unlock their potential. In just a few years, the organization has not only grown to become the largest tech club at UC Davis, serving more than 2,500 students.
High-Impact Events That Empower Students
One of the ways AISC @ UC Davis bridges that gap is by organizing impactful events that inspire, educate and connect. These initiatives are designed to make a lasting impact on our members' academic, professional and personal growth.
AISC proudly hosts our flagship Women in Tech event, which empowers women to thrive in a traditionally male-dominated field. Featuring industry leaders such as Katalin Bartfai-Walcott, founder and CTO at Ambient Enterprises, Nicole Dugas Yamasaki, director of global network processing at Visa, and Sunita Casula, software engineer at Workday, the event provides an inspiring platform for sharing experiences, challenges and triumphs. It’s a call to action to increase gender diversity in tech, creating a supportive community where women can connect, learn and lead.
Every fall quarter kicks off with the Tech Mixer, a campus-wide gathering that brings together the tech clubs at UC Davis. This event provides students with one-on-one opportunities to connect with club board members and peers interested in the technology space. The Fall 2024 Tech Mixer featured a fireside chat with Anshul Shah, head of startup partnerships at Brex, offering attendees valuable insights into the tech industry while fostering collaboration and networking across the community.
The annual AI Symposium showcases the forefront of artificial intelligence through the lens of renowned industry leaders. At the third annual AI Symposium in November 2024, notable speakers included Louis Monier, the AI pioneer behind AltaVista, and Rikin Gandhi, CEO of Digital Green. These visionaries shared their expertise on the latest advancements in AI and the career opportunities available in this rapidly evolving field.
The annual Computer Science Research Symposium connects students with professors who lead active research labs at UC Davis, fostering academic growth and encouraging exploration in cutting-edge fields. Esteemed academics like Associate Professor of Computer Science Sam King, an expert in computer security and AI, and Professor of Molecular and Cellular Biology Ian Korf, a trailblazer in computational biology, share their work and invite students to engage as research assistants.
Through these events and more, AISC continues to empower students, providing them with tools, mentorship and opportunities to thrive in the tech and AI industries.
Driving Change Through Community and Collaboration
At its heart, AISC is about more than just AI or technology; it’s about building a community. By fostering collaboration through technical workshops, high-level projects and corporate networking events, AISC @ UC Davis ensures that students from all backgrounds feel welcomed and supported.
Our mission to democratize AI and promote diversity resonates with every event and initiative we undertake. Through the dedication of our members and the support of our community, we continue to inspire and empower the next generation of tech leaders.
Thanks to Anirudh Murugesan for his visionary leadership and for founding AISC, both nationally and at UC Davis, to bridge the gap in tech opportunities for students.
Thanks also to Curtis Chen, our president, for guiding us forward and helping bring our ideas to life each day. A huge thanks to our amazing board for working tirelessly to help create a future of AI literacy for all, and to Humans for AI for powering AISC.
AISC’s continued success is a reflection of the hard work and dedication of its members, who strive to create a more inclusive and empowered tech community.