COD’s State of the College focuses on AI innovation, education

PALM SPRINGS, Calif. (KESQ) -- Innovating artificial intelligence 'AI', was the message of College of the Desert's State of the College Thursday evening.

COD President/Superintendent Val Martinez Garcia says the college is excited for the next year as they break ground on COD Palm Springs, a place where he says 'AI' education will flourish.

'There's a fear that AI is going to take over the world. It's not, it's a tool that we can harness and use, much like the internet was a very disruptive technology, two decades ago. Now, we believe it's the same for AI. So we're at a moment where we can really harness that energy, bring all of our smart people together, create some programs. More importantly, prepare our students for tomorrow," Martinez Garcia said.

Dozens of leaders from across the Coachella Valley attended the event at the Thompson Hotel in Downtown Palm Springs.

It featured interactive AI photo booths and an AI digital model of the Superintendent that hosted part of the night.

AI short films created by COD students showcasing the future of COD in 2075, were also presented.

Joel Kinnamon, Chair of the Board of Trustees of Desert Community College District, says they're already working with local innovators to create AI courses.

"We have members in the community that are from Silicon Valley that are here, that are assisting, partnering with us so that we have programing that is going to be really something unique for our students and preparing them and ways for this as this technology emerges," Kinnamon said.

COD Palm Springs broke ground November of 2024 and construction is currently in progress.