BAKERSFIELD, Calif. (KGET) — The first ever partnership program between an artificial intelligence company and a university has been made and it’s in Bakersfield. California State University Bakersfield and tech giant OpenAI have partnered to create three new classes to help students understand the power of AI.

In a world on uncertainty with artificial intelligence and the job market for young up-and-coming students seeking a well paying job — Cal State Bakersfield introduces a first in the nation program which administration says will help students use AI.

Proposed Inyokern data center could use 12 to 16 million gallons of water annually 

“The SPARKS program at CSUB is a collaboration between OpenAI and our campus in order to help our students better understand the power and the reach of artificial intelligence,” said CSUB President Vernon Harper.

Harper signed the deal between the college and OpenAI on Wednesday. OpenAI is the company that made ChatGPT.

“The students will be taking the courses, they will be learning directly from OpenAI engineers, how to best use prompts, how to best build large language models,” said Harper.

Starting this fall, the program includes three classes.

A geological science class that will be mapping groundwater contamination, analysis of campaign finance reporting in politics and a creation of a community stakeholder AI lab on business.

But students are fearful of AI, according to a 2025 Harvard Poll, 70% of college students see AI as a threat to their job prospects.

“At my age, being a Gen-xer we went through this at with the birth of the internet in 1999. There were a lot of concerns about that new technology,” said Harper.

‘Pressures already on an unsustainable system’: Ridgecrest, Inyokern residents voice concern over possible data center proposed in the area

And Harper says just like the internet creating opportunities, AI can too, “It created a lot of opportunities for workers, individuals, and myself. I’m sure it will for this generation too.”

The partnership between CSUB and OpenAI developed from a 2025 discussion exploring AI’s impact on the workforce that convened several local community groups, including the Dolores Huerta Foundation. After the classes, students will then take their work to various local nonprofits, to help them with using AI.

Copyright 2026 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KGET 17 News.