CSUB to explore future of AI with NextTech Kern

Oct. 2 event highlights its impact on academia, business and security

By California State University, Bakersfield

August 12^th, 2025

Students, business leaders and technology professionals will have the opportunity this fall to gain a deeper understanding of how artificial intelligence is shaping academia, business and security.

California State University, Bakersfield is holding its first NextTech Kern event on Oct. 2, a free on-campus technology showcase that will feature a keynote speech from Congressman Vince Fong, panels, sessions, student exhibits and booths from industry leaders.

NextTech Kern represents the first AI-focused showcase of its kind in Kern County. It aims to bring in more than 500 people from across the region, including around 100 high school students. Registration is required and can be sumbitted here.

“NextTech Kern is more than just a tech event; it’s a regional movement to spotlight how innovation, education and industry come together to shape the future of Kern County,” said Associate Vice President and Chief Information Officer Chris Diniz. “We’re building a space where collaboration leads to innovation, where students engage directly with employers and where Kern County can showcase its leadership in emerging technologies like AI.”

Most of the sessions are divided among three tracks: AI in Academia, AI in Business and AI in Security. Activities will take place in both the Student Recreation Center and the Student Union Multipurpose Room.

The Vendor and Partner Showcase will be available throughout the whole day in the SRC gym, where attendees can explore booths to learn more about the latest AI-powered tools as well as internship and job opportunities.

Director of Academic Technology Services and ITS Grants Jaimi Paschal is overseeing the academia track, which will focus on how AI can be used to help students study better and serve as a teaching assistant.

Paschal said she’s excited about leading the track because it gives her the opportunity to showcase the role that innovation can have in education.

“Bringing together the voices of our campus and local community, we're creating conversations that reflect real work, real ideas, real challenges and the shared commitment to making education inclusive and future-ready,” she said. “I am proud that CSUB is hosting NextTech Kern. Providing this event is a reflection of our campus's commitment to collaboration and educational opportunity on campus and across the region we serve.”

Information Security Officer Doug Cornell is responsible for the security track. It will cover how hackers use AI and detail the steps individuals and businesses can take to protect their personal information online.

“AI has made scams incredibly different than they used to be. They used to be so easy to spot, with common mistakes and poor grammar,” he said. “It’s made the job more complicated for users to determine if they’re being scammed. We’re going to show how scams have changed for users and what they should be on the lookout for.”

Manager of Infrastructure Services Ernest Richards will direct the business track, which will focus on how AI is being applied in various industries and will also include a hands-on session where business leaders can work directly with some of the AI tools.

“I want to see how AI is being applied in real-world businesses, how they would use a tool to solve real-world business problems,” he said.

When he first learned about the event, Richards was immediately interested in getting involved.

“I’m pumped and excited. I’m really looking forward to being a part of this,” he said. “I think this is going to be a really cool event that is going to attract a lot of people to campus and raise the profile of CSUB, making sure we’re seen as innovating and helping our students and our local community thrive.”

Diniz said having an event like NextTech Kern is important because AI has already made its way into people’s everyday lives, whether it’s at school, at work or at home.

“Of all the changes I’ve seen in technology over the past few years, this is probably the biggest change to our economy, to our workforce,” he said. “It’s been a disrupter everywhere. Large companies are already reimagining how they are hiring positions. I think it’s a game-changer.”

Richards agrees. He believes that’s one of the reasons why it’s important to have serious discussions now about how to properly use the technology.

“Artificial intelligence is not going away, so we need to make sure that we’re grappling with the ethical questions with both hands,” he said.

Diniz hopes NextTech Kern will bring more awareness about AI and help educate attendees on the best ways to implement it. He understands that there’s a lot of confusion and uncertainty in the community about how AI is being used.

“Right now, it’s a really scary area for people,” he said. “We’re trying to remove that shroud over it and show that this isn’t a scary thing. It can be a helpful tool.”

In talking to students, Cornell said he’s seen a pretty even split in those who are excited about using AI in their education and those who are apprehensive about it.

“It’s an amazing tool that very few people have grasped the ramifications of, the changes it’s going to bring,” he said. “It opens up so much, but if you’re building your dependence only on that, you’re going to have trouble. People need to be aware of both the risks and benefits.”

Diniz hopes this event will help CSUB become a prominent voice in the community that will ultimately help determine how AI and other technologies will impact the region moving forward. As part of that, Diniz said the goal is make NextTech Kern an annual event that not only focuses on AI but all emerging technology.

“As the academic leader of Kern County, we have an opportunity to lead how AI is seen in the community, how we can use AI both efficiently as well as ethically,” he said. “We’re creating a platform where ideas become action and partnerships begin.”