First event focuses on local business use cases, productivity; countywide AI survey now open to business owners
SANTA BARBARA — The Scheinfeld Center for Entrepreneurship & Innovation at Santa Barbara City College, in collaboration with the SBCC Career Center, the Santa Barbara South Coast Chamber of Commerce, and the EDC Small Business Development Center (SBDC), is launching a three-part community event series: AI Unlocked.
The series is designed to boost AI literacy, career readiness, and business success by convening business leaders, students, educators, and employees in conversations about how artificial intelligence is shaping Santa Barbara County’s workforce and economy.
The AI Unlocked series continues with AI Unlocked: Shaping the Future on November 7. Details for all events in the series are available on the Scheinfeld Center website.
“This series directly supports our mission to help South Coast businesses adapt, innovate, and thrive,” said Kristen Miller, President and CEO of the Santa Barbara South Coast Chamber of Commerce. “Artificial intelligence is transforming every industry, and by bringing together local business leaders, educators, and students, we’re ensuring our community has the knowledge and tools to remain competitive in this rapidly evolving technology.”
The Santa Barbara County Business Owner AI Survey
In addition to the event series, organizers have launched the Santa Barbara County Business Owner AI Survey. The survey seeks input from local businesses to benchmark our region’s AI use and identify workforce needs related to AI adoption. Results will inform ongoing community programs and resources designed to prepare Santa Barbara’s workforce for an AI-driven future. Santa Barbara County business owners are encouraged to complete the brief anonymous survey, whether they currently use AI in their business or not.
“The Santa Barbara County Business Owner AI Survey is a vital tool to understand where our region stands in adopting artificial intelligence,” said Julie Samson, Director of the Scheinfeld Center. “Whether a business is already using AI or just starting to explore it, their input helps us identify the skills and resources our workforce will need. By gathering this insight now, we can shape programs that ensure Santa Barbara County remains competitive and prepared for an AI-driven future.”
About SBCC
Established in 1909, Santa Barbara City College (SBCC) is one of the oldest community colleges in California. The district consists of SBCC’s main campus on Santa Barbara’s beachfront coast, two separate campuses for its School of Extended Learning programs, as well as a Cosmetology school. The college offers a range of associate degree, certificate and transfer programs and is recognized by the Department of Education as an official Hispanic-Serving Institution (HSI).
About the Scheinfeld Center for Entrepreneurship & Innovation
The Scheinfeld Center for Entrepreneurship & Innovation at Santa Barbara City College is a hub for entrepreneurship and workforce development in Santa Barbara County. As part of the Jack & Julie Nadel School of Business & Entrepreneurship, the Scheinfeld Center supports students and the community through academic coursework, pitch competitions, internships, mentoring, and partnerships that strengthen career readiness and economic growth. Learn more at scheinfeld.sbcc.edu.