Innovation.
Transformation.
Equity.
The California Community Colleges’ Digital Center for Innovation, Transformation and Equity (Digital Center) brings generative artificial intelligence and digital technology to the system’s 116 colleges. It helps harness the power of generative AI to transform the ability to serve students as they move into an AI-powered workforce.
The Digital Center, which was launched in September 2024, operates under the direction of the California Community Colleges Chancellor’s Office in partnership with the Foothill-DeAnza Community College District (FHDA). FHDA, located in the heart of Silicon Valley, is renowned as a leader in both technology and transformation.
No Entity Can Do This Alone
The Digital Center recognizes partnerships are integral to its success. Interested partners, including community college districts and industry leaders, are invited to help shape the direction of the Digital Center. Partnering with the Center provides direct access to California’s higher education leadership and decision-makers.
Contact UsA Hub for Innovation and Transformation
The creation of the Digital Center creates a hub for California’s community colleges, future and current industry partners, and philanthropic organizations to jointly contribute to the innovation and transformation of the CCC system.
The Digital Center is unique in that it harnesses the power of Silicon Valley with the size and strength of the California Community Colleges system, which services some of the most vulnerable members of society. It is quickly scaling up projects to meet the needs of an ever-changing society.
As it scales, the Digital Center will prevent an AI digital divide and ensure timely and equitable access to technological innovations for all 2 million community college students.
View our FAQsThe Digital Center is beginning to create opportunities that modernize systemwide infrastructure and practices in ways that elevate and accelerate systemwide outcomes as described in Vision 2030 and below.
- Leveraging creative partnerships with state agencies, industry leaders, etc. to support California Community College learners and the state’s workforce. Some examples of recent MOUs signed by the Chancellor’s Office: United Domestic Workers, the state department of Healthcare Access and Information (HCAI), NVIDIA.
- Creating nimble, data-informed pilots of AI tools and other emerging technology to determine efficacy and scalability.
- Informing systemwide strategy for common infrastructure, such as introducing new ways to build on projects like the Common Cloud Data Platform demonstration project. Incorporating AI, using the shared infrastructure to counter financial aid fraud, and creating similar added value to address current system gaps.
As generative AI evolves and expands rapidly, the Digital Center will work to support the HUMANS-centered approach to AI outlined by the AI Council, to ensure our most vulnerable populations are centered in the opportunity generative AI creates and working to identify ways to be responsible users with an eye to environmental challenges posed by AI. We commit to:
- Professional development to de-mystify AI, reducing fear and showing the opportunity AI presents for our students. We are already beginning to leverage partnerships with institutions like Carnegie Mellon, California Learning Lab, and statewide experts to adapt and make available professional development opportunities to the over 55,000 faculty in our system.
- Ensuring ethical and secure use of AI by students and our community colleges is an important component, and the Digital Center will help us formulate policies and practices that align with those values.
- Carefully choosing partners that take environmental stewardship seriously is one way that the Digital Center will support the green agenda. Additionally, our colleges are hubs of innovation and can assist industry in providing ideas and expertise to support companies’ own advancements in this area, as California is the leader.
Taking place September 9–11, 2025, at the Santa Clara Convention Center, the Futures Summit will bring together 800+ educators, administrators, industry leaders and partners to explore the intersection of emerging technologies, policy and curriculum development. With a focus on equity, access and innovation, the summit will provide attendees with actionable insights, interactive experiences and opportunities to collaborate with peers and industry experts.
Gain Strategic InsightsLearn from visionary leaders, policymakers and industry experts shaping digital transformation in education.
Experience Emerging TechnologiesParticipate in hands-on demonstrations featuring Artificial Intelligence (AI), Virtual Reality (VR) and next-generation learning tools.
Engage in Solution-Focused DiscussionsExplore practical strategies for integrating AI, enhancing digital equity and transforming curriculum.
Network and CollaborateConnect with faculty, administrators, students and industry partners in structured networking sessions and partnership opportunities.