Krause Center expands California school AI training after Year 1 report
The Krause Center for Innovation is expanding its Silicon Valley Artificial Intelligence Project statewide across California after completing its first year and releasing an independent evaluation by WestEd. Supported by Google.org, the initiative will enter Year 2 with expanded professional development for TK-12 educators.
- SVAIP has completed its first year and released a WestEd evaluation report.
- KCI is expanding the project from Silicon Valley to TK-12 districts statewide across California.
- Year 2 includes AI Capstone, AI Empowered Educator, and customizable professional learning.
- The project is supported by Google.org.
- KCI will host working sessions and a free education conference at Foothill College.
From Silicon Valley to California school districts
The Silicon Valley Artificial Intelligence Project, or SVAIP, spent its first year building educator and school leadership capacity through listening sessions, policy roundtables, and professional development cohorts across Silicon Valley. The Krause Center for Innovation said the project is now expanding beyond the region to TK-12 school districts statewide across California.
The initiative is designed to help educators develop the skills, ethical guidance, and practical frameworks needed to integrate artificial intelligence responsibly into classrooms. Its expansion comes as schools work through questions around AI implementation, policy, data privacy, and the role of teachers in technology-supported learning.
WestEd report highlights educator preparation
Independent research agency WestEd conducted the Year 1 evaluation. According to KCI, the resulting Impact Report highlights successes in empowering educators and building AI-ready school infrastructure.
Year 2 will deepen three core offerings: the AI Capstone program, the asynchronous AI Empowered Educator program, and customizable professional learning. The training will focus on adaptive tools, ethical innovation, and strategic leadership.
Gay Krause, executive director and founder of the Krause Center for Innovation, said the project aims to ensure that educators lead the use of AI in schools. “Our goal with SVAIP from day one has been to ensure educators lead the AI transformation rather than being left behind by it,” Krause said.
Krause added that Year 1 showed the value of human-centered AI literacy for teachers. She said the organization remains committed to “safe, equitable, and ethically guided AI instruction” as the project expands across California.
Events will address policy and classroom practice
KCI is inviting educators, school leaders, and policymakers to events at Foothill College as it works to maintain momentum and address state legislation and AI implementation strategies.
- SVAIP Strategic Working Sessions: Interactive sessions for district leaders focused on emerging California legislation, policy, and AI integration strategies.
- un[AI]pologetic Education Conference: A free, educator-centered conference focused on practical AI tools, human-centered pedagogy, data privacy, and ethics.
Educators, district leaders, and community partners can download the full WestEd Year 1 Impact Report, access pedagogical resources, and learn about participation in the statewide expansion through the official Silicon Valley Artificial Intelligence Project page.
