AI Jam 2025 Kickoff: A Catalyst for Innovation and Campus Connection

CSUN’s AI Jam 2025 Kickoff was an exciting venture for students, faculty, and staff showcasing the transformative potential of artificial intelligence in building a more connected campus community. This event invited students to explore how AI tools can foster stronger student engagement, improve campus involvement, and support career readiness. 

This year’s competition centers on leveraging AI to enhance the CSUN experience. It challenges student teams to conceptualize innovative solutions addressing one or more of the following areas: campus involvement, community resilience, and career readiness. This focus reflects a broader institutional commitment to cultivating meaningful connections within the campus environment and supporting students’ holistic development.

Keynote Speaker and CSUN Alum Tina Austin

The kickoff event took place on March 5, 2025, in the Johnson Auditorium and streamed live on Zoom. The keynote speaker was Tina Austin, a distinguished lecturer and AI adoption specialist from USC and UCLA, and a proud CSUN alum. Austin drew on her extensive experience in AI ethics and digital innovation to underscore both the promises and challenges that accompany AI integration in educational settings.

The keynote not only set the tone for the competition but also provided a rich context for the innovative spirit that underpins CSUN’s academic culture.

Student Prize Announcements

The AI Jam 2025 prizes were announced with the first-place team awarded $800 and an opportunity for one semester of student employment with the IT Division, while second and third places will $400 and $200, respectively.  

Team proposal submissions are due by April 14 and the announcement of the winners will take place on April 25th at CSUN’s fourth Digital Equity Day event. Don’t miss out!