For over a decade, Marc Benioff, co-founder and CEO of Salesforce, has been actively engaging with Bay Area schools to understand their needs in preparing students for the future. His approach has been to provide substantial financial support, initially for technology like iPads and internet access, and later for coding classes, math coaching, and maker labs.

Introducing AI to Education

Recently, Salesforce has shifted its focus towards integrating artificial intelligence (AI) into the educational process. Last year, they began asking schools how they were incorporating AI into their curriculum. The response was largely that they weren’t, which prompted Salesforce to take action.

This year, Salesforce has committed $10 million to San Francisco and Oakland schools, part of a larger $23 million initiative to support educational programs nationwide. Since 2013, Salesforce has donated $150 million to U.S. schools.

AI Tools and Resources

Salesforce’s AI initiatives include an AI Accelerator for nonprofits developing AI-driven educational tools. These tools range from platforms that assist with college applications to those that help students craft resumes and conduct mock interviews.

At Washington High School, teacher Carrie Karlovic emphasizes the importance of AI in her curriculum, stating, “AI is us just on a computer scale, where all of the biases and prejudices get absorbed.”

Ensuring Equal Access

Suzanne DiBianca, Salesforce’s chief impact officer, stresses the importance of equal access to AI technologies to prevent a new digital divide. San Francisco Mayor London Breed has praised Salesforce’s efforts, highlighting the city’s role as a leader in AI innovation.

For more details, visit the original article on GovTech.

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