The California Education Learning Lab is pleased to announce 28 recipients of the AI FAST Challenge: Funding for Accelerated Study and Transformation, designed to support nimble, innovative research and development projects within California’s public higher education system. The AI FAST Challenge underscores Learning Lab’s commitment to support California’s faculty leadership in understanding and using generative AI for teaching and learning.
Nearly 40 unique institutions from the California Community Colleges (CCCs), California State University (CSU), and University of California (UC) systems submitted 61 proposals. Twenty-eight projects were selected to receive grants of up to $150,000 for single-institution projects and up to $200,000 for multi-institution projects. Collectively, awarded projects cover multiple disciplines – from math, engineering, computer science, chemistry, and general STEM, to business, humanities, and arts. AI tutoring and platform building, fostering critical thinking skills, and large-scale professional development of faculty are also represented in many of the projects.
Among the awardees are unique projects such as:
-Using generative AI to support language instruction for diverse learners. (Saddleback College)
-Incorporating generative AI into elementary teacher education. (Coalinga College)
-Building a career pathways Chatbot. (CSU Dominguez Hills and East Los Angeles College)
-Developing a Generative Practice Interview Trainer (mock interview AI coach). (CSU Fullerton)
-Transforming video archive of Japanese Americans interned during WWII into a Q&A teaching tool so students can engage dynamically with survivors’ stories. (Fresno State)
-Training the future workforce in AI-assisted chip design. (CSU Fullerton)
-Using AI-driven animation to dynamically illustrate mathematical relationships, physical phenomena, and engineering principles in new ways that traditional practices struggle with. (San Diego State)
-Rethinking assessment strategies that ensure learning with AI. (UC Berkeley)
We are also pleased to welcome first-time Learning Lab grantees: Coalinga College, East Los Angeles College, Folsom City College, Mission College, San Diego City College, Sierra College, and College of the Siskiyous.
Estimated Impact
The awarded projects aim to create significant momentum on teaching and learning experiences statewide and will strive to reach nearly 50,000 students (approximately 10,000 CCC, 30,000 CSU, and 10,000 UC students) and engage more than 2,000 faculty/instructors (approximately 400 CCC, 1,400 CSU, and 200 UC faculty) across California’s public higher education institutions. Along with the AI Grand Challenge, the total reach of these projects is nearly 200,000 students and more than 15,600 faculty.*
“It’s heartening to see so many California faculty actively involved in trying to harness the power of generative AI to advance student learning. Our grantees are at the forefront of real transformation in teaching and learning and understanding how our students can benefit from AI.”
– Lark Park, director of the California Education Learning Lab
Awards To Date
The AI FAST awards are granted on a rolling basis, with new recipients announced in this page as soon as selections are made. Stay tuned for continuous updates on the latest projects receiving funding.
| Project Name | Project Description | Award Amount | Host (in bold) and Partner Institutions | Principal Investigator |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Acquiring Math Prerequisites Efficiently and Scalably with AI | This project aims to improve student progress in preparatory mathematics at UC San Diego by enhancing an AI platform to deliver personalized learning through validated models, individualized student data, computer vision feedback, and ongoing assessment, enabling efficient advancement to credit-bearing courses and broader applicability for similar educational needs. | $200,000 | UC San Diego, San Diego City College | Virginia de Sa (PI) Roberto Rubalcaba (Co-PI) Ko Ohm (Co-PI) Andrea Chiba (Co-PI) |
| Addressing Generative AI Literacy Gaps in Gateway Writing and Mathematics Courses | This project aims to address equity gaps in students’ use of AI tools and evaluate the impact of AI-literate assignments on critical thinking, writing, problem-solving, and quantitative reasoning skills in gateway writing and math courses at CSU Maritime, UC Santa Cruz, and UC Davis. | $200,000 | Cal Maritime, UC Davis, UC Santa Cruz | Aparna Sinha (PI) Kendon Kurzer (Co-PI) Julie Simons (Co-PI) Yingjie Liu (Co-PI) |
| AI-Assistance in Lower Division Chemistry Laboratory Course Curriculum | This project is studying how real-time interactive feedback and constructive feedback after assignment submission from a chemistry-specific AI-assisted educational technology platform supports student learning in large lower division chemistry laboratory courses. | $150,000 | UC Irvine | Kimberly D. Edwards (PI) Renee D. Link (PI) |
| AI-Assisted Assessment to Award Credit for Prior Learning (A4CPL)** | Led by LACCD and UCSD and using a CTE course in Fire Technology, this proof-of-concept project will develop and test an AI-driven assessment tool for equitably awarding Credit for Prior Learning (CPL), ensuring fair evaluation of diverse participants’ knowledge and skills while providing personalized feedback to improve educational outcomes | $200,000 | Los Angeles City College | Armando Rivera-Figueroa (PI) Leon Bergen (Co-PI) |
| AI-Enhanced Curriculum: Transforming Calculus and Statistics Education | This project aims to integrate tools like MathGPT and ChatGPT, alongside hands-on computational modeling of real-world applications with Python, to enhance skill mastery, foster higher-order thinking, and promote equitable, inquiry-based learning at Pasadena City College. | $150,000 | Pasadena City College | Xiaodan Leng (PI) Roger A. Yang (Co-PI) Jay Cho (Co-PI) |
| AI Literacy for Quantitative Experimentation | This project will result in an AI literacy framework that can be used in courses where students carry out quantitative experimentation. | $95,000 | Cal Maritime | Laurie Borchard (PI) Wil Tsai (Co-PI) Amber Janssen (Co-PI) |
| AI-Powered Virtual Reality for Enhancing STEM Education** | This project integrates AI-powered virtual reality (VR) learning environments into General Physics and Biology courses at CSUDH and Sierra College, leveraging adaptive AI tutoring and immersive simulations to enhance student engagement, comprehension, and assessment in kinematics, simple harmonic motion, transcription, replication, and translation. | $200,000 | CSU Dominguez Hills | Horace Crogman (PI) Kwame Eshun (PI) To Dang (Co-PI) Adekunle Aina (Co-PI) |
| Animate Math Concepts in Engineering Education using Large Language Models | This project will leverage Generative AI to create dynamic, Python-driven animations using the manim library, revolutionizing the visualization and understanding of complex mathematical and engineering concepts in education | $150,000 | San Diego State | Qi Wang(PI) Jun Chen (PI) |
| Collaborative AI Integration in STEM Education | This project aims to develop and validate mathematical AI-integrated tasks co-designed with faculty to enhance collaborative learning, critical thinking, and equitable access for diverse STEM students. | $95,000 | Cal Poly Pomona | Hyunkyoung Yoon (PI) Younghwan Kim (Co-PI) |
| Cost-effective, Bespoke Adaptive Tutoring using Open Source Tools and GenAI | This project will tailor mastery learning pedagogy for STEM instructors at all three segments of California higher ed by leveraging an Open Adaptive Tutor (OATutor.io) based on field-leading GenAI research. | $200,000 | UC, Berkeley, San José State, Mission College | Zachary Pardos (PI) Clement Lam (Co-PI) Tim Hsu (Co-PI) |
| Creating a Framework for Valued Learning Outcomes in 2030 | With input from UC Berkeley instructors and students alike, this project aims to rethink how we conceptualize and assess the skills of college-level critical thinking and information literacy in the age of Generative AI through the lens of asset-oriented, equitable, and accessible instruction. | $150,000 | UC Berkeley | Melissa E. Ko (PI) Ula Y. Taylor (Co-PI) Jenae Cohn (Co-PI) Tara E. Mason (Co-PI) Rachel Weiher (Co-PI) |
| Customizable AI Integration in Higher Education: Marketing Example | Our project “Customizable AI Integration in Higher Education (Marketing Example)” provides a comprehensive framework for integrating AI into marketing education through a customizable, tiered approach, focusing on creating teaching materials, measuring learning outcomes, and promoting equity and inclusion across multiple California universities. | $200,000 | Cal Poly Pomona, San Francisco State | Yufan Lin (PI) Yiwen Chen (PI) In-Hye Kang (Co-PI) Randy Stein (Co-PI) Wei Li (Co-PI) |
| Developing and Testing the “Build Your Career Pathway” AI Chatbot at CSU Dominguez Hills and East Los Angeles College | This project aims to enhance the career-readiness of students at California State University Dominguez Hills (CSUDH) and East Los Angeles College (ELAC) and other regional community colleges by developing and deploying an AI Chatbot to provide immediate, tailored responses to student inquiries about career and educational pathways, testing in it classroom settings and integrating it into the curricula of numerous programs. | $200,000 | CSU Dominguez Hills, East Los Angeles College | Fynnwin Prager (PI) Jose N. Martinez (Co-PI) Jennifer Brodmann(Co-PI) M. Allen Coson (Co-PI) Chris Cagle (Co-PI) |
| E-GAISE: Ethical Generative AI in Undergraduate Computer Science Education | The E-GAISE project aims to develop GenAI-focused curricular materials for undergraduate Computer Science students at various stages of their college careers (sophomore, junior, and senior levels) using a data-driven, iterative approach while partnering with students to create content that emphasizes AI literacy and ethical AI practices. | $150,000 | San Francisco State | Shahrukh Humayoun (PI) Hui Yang (Co-PI) Isabel Hyo Jung Song (Co-PI) Akila de Silva (Co-PI) |
| ELEVATE: Enhancing Learning Experiences Via AI TEchniques | This project will develop a program that designs, implements, and scales a framework for personalized AI tutors at California State University, Bakersfield, aimed at enhancing teaching practices and promoting digital equity through engaging, constructivist educational experiences. | $150,000 | CSU Bakersfield | Alberto C. Cruz (PI) Anjana Yatawara (Co-PI) |
| Empowering Future Educators with AI-Enhanced Pedagogy | The project aims to integrate AI tools into the Elementary Teacher Education associate’s degree program at Coalinga College to enhance curriculum development, pedagogical practices, and student learning outcomes while emphasizing ethical considerations and DEIA principles. | $150,000 | Coalinga College | Kelly Rouska Jill Bonds (PI) Lynn Mann (Co-PI) Sam Aunai (Co-PI) |
| Empowering Rural Education: Generative AI and Student-Centered Learning at College of the Siskiyous | This project aims to strengthen rural CTE education by equipping faculty with training and tools to effectively use generative AI, centered on a comprehensive faculty training course and a practical, student-focused OER guide tailored to applying AI in career and technical education. | $90,000 | Siskiyou Joint CCD | Valerie Roberts (PI) Caroline Scott (PI) |
| GenAI as Coding Tutor to Support First Year Engineering Students | This project integrates an AI coding tutor for an introductory programming course in MATLAB at San Jose State University, targeting aerospace engineering first year students and transfer students with no programming experience. | $150,000 | San José State | Maria Chierichetti (PI) Radha Aravamudh (PI) |
| GenAI Preparedness for Teaching & Learning at SF State | To remain at the cutting edge of teaching, learning, and workforce development in this age of GenAI, San Francisco State University, a minority-serving institution located in the heart of the AI revolution, will use this AI Fast Challenge grant to facilitate faculty development and academic department readiness, by supporting inter-faculty and inter and intra-department collaborations, leading to the discovery and development of necessary processes, policies, curriculum, pedagogical support, tools, and technical training, with a critical, equitable and ethical lens. | $150,000 | San Francisco State | Anoshua Chaudhuri (PI) Andrew Roderick (Co-PI) |
| G𝜋T: Generative Practice Interview Trainer | This project aims to develop G𝜋T: Generative Practice Interview Trainer, an artificial intelligence-powered mock interview bot that can be utilized by faculty of any course to close opportunity gaps by providing students with authentic content-based job interview experience. | $150,000 | CSU Fullerton | Alison Marzocchi (PI) Edward Watson (Co-PI) Matheus Guerrero (Co-PI) Sunny Le (Co-PI) Francisco Zepeda (Co-PI) |
| Natural Language Processing tool to analyze lower-division chemistry course evaluations | This project will develop a robust NLP model to analyze student course evaluations in lower-division chemistry courses, providing faculty with actionable insights to enhance inclusive teaching practices in their classroom. | $145,000 | CSU Monterey Bay, UCLA | Roshini Ramachandran (PI) Chong Liu (Co-PI) |
| Saddleback College AI for Language Acquisition | AI for Language Acquisition project aims to transform language instruction by leveraging AI to support diverse learners, analyze independent and guided AI use, and develop interdisciplinary strategies and resources that enhance language acquisition and education across disciplines. | $150,000 | Saddleback Community College | Kim D’Arcy (PI) Christopher Stillwell (Co-PI) |
| SCAPE: Student-centered Collaborative AI Platform for Personalized Engineering Learning Experience | The SCAPE project at San Francisco State University aims to develop an open-source, student-centered collaborative AI platform to provide personalized engineering learning experiences while promoting equity, critical thinking, and transparency in AI-driven education. | $150,000 | San Francisco State | Zhuwei Qin (PI) Zhaoshuo Jiang (Co-PI) Jennifer Seibel Trainor (Co-PI) |
| SMC & GCC SOAR (Strategies for Optimal AI Resilience) | The Santa Monica College (SMC) and Glendale Community College (GCC) SOAR (Strategies for Optimal AI Resilience) is a collaborative initiative designed to equip faculty with the skills and resources to effectively integrate AI into their teaching practices with a goal of fostering an intercampus community, enhance teaching, learning, and the student experience via AI. | $200,000 | Santa Monica College, Glendale College | Steven Sedky (PI) Lynn Dickinson (Co-PI) |
| SpartanAI: Elevating Course Design with Faculty and Student-Centric AI Agent | SpartanAI integrates advanced AI technology with Quality Matters (QM) principles to empower faculty and students in collaboratively enhancing course design, fostering innovative, high-quality, and impactful learning experiences | $150,000 | San José State | Yingjie Liu (PI) Magdalini Eirinaki (Co-PI) Wencen Wu (Co-PI) Deb Adair (Co-PI) Barbra Burch (Co-PI) |
| Student Innovators Teaching Old Projects New Tricks (AI-PBL)** | This project integrates Artificial Intelligence into Project-Based Learning (AI-PBL) to enhance student engagement, critical thinking, and problem-solving skills across engineering and computing disciplines at Sacramento State, UC Davis, and Folsom Lake College. | $200,000 | CSU Sacramento | Milica Markovic (PI) MarBoris Jeremic (PI) Abida Mukharram (PI) Rohollah Moghadam (Co-PI) Praveen Meduri (Co-PI) |
| Titan Research Immersion: Empowering Diversity in Chip Design | This project seeks to empower underrepresented students by offering hands-on experience in chip design through the use of AI-driven, open-access tools, promoting both diversity and innovation within the semiconductor industry. | $150,000 | CSU Fullerton | Rakeshkumar Mahto (PI) Kiran George (PI) |
| The Japanese American Incarceration Testimony Interactive Q&A Project | This project aims to develop a pilot project for an AI-powered interactive Q&A system to preserve and promote Japanese American incarceration testimonies in Fresno and Central California. | $142,000 | Fresno State | Hanayo Oya Aris (PI) Athanasios Panagopoulos (Co-PI) |
*Number of faculty includes project outreach to faculty participating in SDSU’s survey and AI needs assessment. Learning Lab intends to broadly distribute effective tools, interventions and practices developed through these projects with its growing network of faculty and instructors interested in responsible AI for teaching and learning.
**Added 4/18/2025