Eisenhower High School cybersecurity students got a hands-on look at artificial intelligence when a Cal State San Bernardino faculty member visited Rialto Unified's Healing Garden in early October.
Nabeel Alzahrani, a CSUSB computer science faculty member, led an interactive "AI for All" presentation covering AI fundamentals, large language models (LLMs) and AI agents, the university reported. The session targeted students in cybersecurity teacher John Godinez's class.
Alzahrani co-founded CSUSB's Artificial Intelligence, Quantum Computing, Fusion Energy and Semiconductors Research and Training Lab. He walked students through how AI technologies are reshaping education, research, industry and daily life, then opened the floor for questions.
"My students had mixed feelings about AI, mostly due to the misconceptions and misunderstandings about what it is," Godinez said, according to the university. "Dr. Alzahrani's talk helped my students gain a much deeper understanding of how AI works, and I believe it will make a huge difference in how they leverage it in the future."
The session took place at the district's Healing Garden at 2235 W. Buena Vista Dr. Rialto Unified houses its FYRE (Field Youth Research and Experimentation) Curriculum there. The site hosts monthly guest speakers and community research projects for sixth- through 12th-grade students, connecting them with university and industry partners.
Aliana Gaytan, a 17-year-old Eisenhower senior, said the presentation shifted her thinking. She said it gave her a new perspective on how AI is transforming learning and work, and it pushed her to consider both the opportunities and the ethical responsibilities the technology carries.
Juanita Chan-Roden, Rialto Unified's director of science and career programs, said events like "AI for All" give students and teachers exposure to emerging technologies. She said working with regional experts reinforces that Inland Empire institutions produce that expertise and that representation matters for students weighing advanced degrees in technical fields.
Students were also encouraged to explore undergraduate research and technology careers at CSUSB, including opportunities to work alongside faculty on emerging technologies.
Rialto Unified shared photos from the visit on its Facebook page, noting students took a reflective walk through the garden before returning inside with questions for Alzahrani.
The district's Science and Engineering Fair projects are due Jan. 15, 2027, with an awards night set for Jan. 26, 2027, at Carter High School from 6 to 7 p.m.
