Cal State San Bernardino plans a retraining cohort for Inland Empire workers at risk of losing their jobs to AI and automation, or already displaced, alongside an AI Retraining Portal. The university outlined both in its September 28 announcement of the AI Research and Retraining Center, describing a project that will combine workforce training with research into robotics, virtual reality and AI.
The planned portal and a library of training materials would serve workers, students and community partners. Hands-on instruction is planned through a robotics lab in CSUSB’s Center for Global Innovation building. The university describes the training as a way for people to add AI tools to skills they already use at work, without requiring everyone to become an AI engineer.
The research will examine both the capabilities of emerging systems and their vulnerabilities. CSUSB says the center is being equipped with AI computing technology, virtual reality systems, and quadruped and humanoid robots. Researchers will investigate whether AI systems and robots can be hacked, manipulated or induced to behave in unintended ways, according to the university’s project description.
Vincent Nestler, a professor in the School of Cyber and Decision Sciences and director of CSUSB’s Center for Cyber and AI, describes one possible research direction: a robot could scan a room, build a virtual version and test routes before moving through the physical space. That is an idea he describes, not a result the announcement reports.
Nestler is also seeking faculty from across the university to study how workers can develop skills after job displacement. The announcement invites participation beyond computing and cybersecurity, including disciplines concerned with education, business, communication and society.
CSUSB says the two-year project is supported by a $1.031 million National Institute of Standards and Technology Congressionally Identified Projects award secured by Rep. Pete Aguilar with support from Sen. Adam Schiff. The funding predates the September update: the university’s February 6 grant announcement reported a ceremonial check presentation on February 5 and said the money had been obtained through legislation passed in January.
For prospective participants, access remains unresolved. The September announcement provides no application instructions, cohort start date, fees or number of places. It also does not establish that the portal is available or enrollment has opened. The worker cohort and training resources remain described as plans, with no job-placement results reported.