From Hype to Habit: How SJSU Turned Access, Education, and Governance into Real Results

This session explores a comprehensive strategy to drive artificial intelligence adoption across campus through targeted awareness campaigns, a peer-led champions program, integrated learning platforms, and grad student-assisted development initiatives. Attendees will leave with actionable ideas for creating an AI-ready culture, closing the skills gap, and helping their institutions stay ahead. At San José State University, we stopped waiting for the perfect AI strategy and started building one in real time. We created a scalable, human-centered AI program grounded in three pillars: broad access to AI tools, intentional education for staff at all skill levels, and a governance framework empowering people to confidently use them. We will walk through two flagship initiatives driving this work: AdoptAI, our staff-focused program equipping employees with practical skills to enhance daily workflows; and our AI Developer Graduate Student Internship Program, which brings top graduate talent into IT to accelerate hands-on AI integration projects. These programs represent a blueprint for how higher education can build AI capacity from the inside out. We will share tangible results—from time savings to process improvements—and the exact playbook we used to achieve them. Whether you are just starting your AI journey or looking to accelerate existing efforts, you will leave with practical strategies, real metrics, and a model adaptable to your institution.