\u201cThis funding will be transformative for the downtown area,\u201d President Luke Wood said in a video message<\/a> on Friday. \u201cWe envision our students, right here, next door to the State Capitol, learning and becoming the policy leaders of tomorrow.\u201d<\/p>\n META founder and CEO Mark Zuckerberg also commented on the historic investment, emphasizing the importance of collaboration to uplift the state of California. META<\/a> has been located in California since 2004<\/a>, recently launching two super PACs, totaling $65 million<\/a> to influence the state\u2019s politics to be more friendly <\/a>toward AI.<\/p>\n \u201cI believe these investments will help strengthen our communities and support the next generation of leaders and innovators,\u201d Zuckerberg said in a press release<\/a>.<\/p>\n Adrian Amador, a computer science major in his fourth year, said that he was surprised to hear about the investment . He said considering his major, the development opens up job opportunities and proximity to the Capitol as highlights for students, but also risks. He also said that he believes the student body will advocate for what is best for students amid distrust in both META and Sac State.<\/p>\n \u201cThis can lead to something bigger and something new that can elevate us to a higher standpoint,\u201d Amador said. \u201cBut just as much as I\u2019m hopeful, I\u2019m also fearful, because that can also take away from us and the life of every student organization or every department.\u201d<\/p>\n J Cardenas, a fourth-year communications major, shared a similar sentiment, saying that Wood\u2019s declaration of Sac State\u2019s \u201cYear of the Arts\u201d during his spring address conflicts with the university\u2019s use of AI-generated images.<\/p>\n RELATED: President Luke Wood discusses \u2018Year of the Arts,\u2019 budget and enrollment during 2026 Spring Address<\/a><\/p>\n Amador said he was concerned about the use of an apparent AI-rendered image of Capitol Mall in the initial press release. Sac State has a history of using AI images, with students criticizing the university for using AI generated art in their promotional material<\/a>.<\/p>\n \u201cSac State posted an AI image when you have artists, students, who are willing to make art for you,\u201c Amador said. \u201cIt\u2019s actually soulless.\u201d<\/p>\n Sac State said in an interview with The State Hornet that design students and Associated Students Inc.\u2019s Board of Directors were consulted in the initial phases of the development. The Alumni Foundation Board were briefed about the project before official announcements were made. The university said it is planning to share more with students to increase engagement once plans are finalized.<\/p>\n Christina, an alumna who graduated from Sac State in 2015, said she is skeptical of the school accepting funds from META given their political alignment. She requested partial anonymity, citing employment concerns.<\/p>\n \u201cThis is dirty money. I am well aware that funding is a big contention for universities, but what are the priorities here?\u201d Christina said. \u201cWhere is the investment in current infrastructures and active students? I fear this is a rush project and a redirection that leaves other programs neglected.\u201d<\/p>\n Amador said he was hopeful that the project would help students but was concerned about a lack of transparency around META\u2019s role in the investment.<\/p>\n \u201cTwo-way contracts: there\u2019s always you give, and you receive,\u201d Amador said. \u201cI\u2019m not sure how that looked on our end, and that\u2019s what I\u2019m worried about.\u201d<\/p>\n Sac State responded to concerns, saying that META\u2019s investment was a gift to the State of California\u2019s Department of General Services<\/a> and not to the university itself.<\/p>\n \u201c[META will] have no influence over how our students, faculty or staff are going to learn, grow and make policy decisions,\u201d Sac State said. \u201cWe will always remain a Black-serving Institution, a Hispanic-serving Institution and an [Asian American Native American Pacific Islander Serving] Institution.\u201d<\/p>\n The university said it will never compromise its values.<\/p>\n \u201cSacramento State is the economic engine and lifeblood of Sacramento in this region, and if we do it right, it\u2019s an opportunity for our students to be engaged in the workforce early so they can get jobs upon graduation,\u201d Sac State said. \u201cThat\u2019s the most important thing that we can do as a university, especially because we support underserved communities.\u201d<\/p>\n Cardenas agreed with Christina, saying he\u2019s concerned about the lack of transparency into how META is benefiting from the investment, given META\u2019s past of data privacy issues<\/a>. Cardenas said he generally supports AI use in the classroom, specifically its ability to make people\u2019s lives easier, but that it should not replace human intelligence.<\/p>\n Sac State said that META will not have any exclusive deals or rights to student\u2019s work nor will the company have access to any university resources or influence amenities. A university spokesperson said that, since the funding is being given to the state, there will be no input from META around legislation or policy decisions on behalf of Sac State.<\/p>\n \u201cPartnering with a private company, it\u2019s always dicey,\u201d Cardenas said. \u201cPrivate companies only have their best interests at heart. They don\u2019t really care about the students at Sac State. You can argue that up and down, they don\u2019t care. They only care about profits.\u201d<\/p>\n Despite the varied questions, Cardenas said he still believes that this decision was made in good conscience and has the potential to benefit students.<\/p>\n \u201cI do think that President Wood has the best interest for Sac State in his heart, like as a whole, regardless of if he\u2019s not going about it the right way,\u201d Cardenas said.<\/p>\n ![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/capmall-render-600x343.jpg\")
A render of Capitol Mall found on Sac State\u2019s page announcing META\u2019s $50 million investment into the university\u2019s downtown campus project. The image visually looks to be generated using AI, causing hypocrisy concerns among students after Wood announces the university\u2019s \u201cYear of the Arts\u201d at his 2026 Spring Address. (Photo courtesy of Sac State)<\/p>\n