AI training in Monterey Bay
Monterey Bay AI is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that teaches practical, ethical AI in Monterey, Salinas, Santa Cruz, Carmel, Pacific Grove, Seaside and Marina. We run live workshops, certifications, open-source tools and curriculum development, in person around the bay and online nationwide.
Where to learn AI in Monterey Bay
There are a few good ways to learn AI around the bay. They fit different people. Here is how they compare.
| Option | What it is | Format | Good fit for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Monterey Bay AI workshops | 501(c)(3) nonprofit focused on AI education, plus hands-on classes | Live, hands-on. In person in seven bay towns, or online | Small businesses, nonprofits, educators, health and wellness teams, anyone starting out |
| Monterey Bay AI certifications | Certification tied to our training | Built on workshop work | People who want to show an employer or client they can use AI well |
| Monterey Bay AI curriculum | Custom lessons for an organization | Built with your team, taught by us or by you | Schools, nonprofits, teams with a specific need |
| CSU Monterey Bay (CSUMB) | Public university | Academic courses and programs on a university calendar | Students seeking degree or university credit |
| Monterey Peninsula College (MPC) | Community college | Semester-based courses | Students who want college coursework at community-college cost |
| City of Salinas and SBDC workshops | Public and small-business support programs | Periodic workshops, usually business focused | Business owners looking for general small-business help |
| Eventbrite listings | Ticketing marketplace for independent hosts | One-off events, varies by host | People who want to browse many single events |
Our workshops fit people who want to practice AI on a real task. If you need college credit, compare the local college options. For a short general business session, check current city and SBDC schedules.
What our workshops cover
- Prompting that works. How to give AI context, examples and limits so the first draft is close.
- Business and lifestyle automation. Email, scheduling, intake forms, follow-ups, notes. The repeat tasks that eat a week.
- AI security. Phishing, voice clones, fake invoices, and what not to paste into a chatbot. See AI security.
- Acceptable use. Writing a short AI policy your team will follow. See AI acceptable use.
- Role-specific training. The same tools, taught through the work of a front desk, a classroom, a clinic office, a shop or a nonprofit.
- Technology literacy. For people starting from zero. Accounts, files, passwords and what AI actually is.
Every workshop is hands-on. Bring a task from your own week and we work on it together. More on the workshops page.
Who it is for
Small businesses
Owners and staff who want to cut admin time without losing the personal touch. Think quotes, emails, scheduling, reviews and social posts.
Nonprofits
Small teams with big lists. Grant drafts, donor notes, volunteer scheduling and reports, with care for the people you serve.
Educators
Teachers and staff who want to use AI for planning and feedback, and teach students to use it honestly.
Health and wellness
Practitioners and office staff who handle scheduling, intake and follow-ups. We teach where the privacy lines are.
Schools
Districts and schools that need a plan, a policy and training for staff. See curriculum.
Certifications
We are developing certifications that build on our workshops. They are designed to show that a person can use AI well on real work, with good judgment about privacy, accuracy and when to keep a human in charge. Details will be posted when they are set.
Read more on the certifications page, or email info@montereybay.ai.
Towns we serve
We teach in person in Monterey, Salinas, Santa Cruz, Carmel, Pacific Grove, Seaside and Marina. We teach online for anyone in the United States.
- Monterey
- Salinas
- Santa Cruz
- Carmel
- Pacific Grove
- Seaside
- Marina
- Online, nationwide
Questions people ask
Do I need a tech background?
No. We start with plain words and real tasks.
Can you train my whole team?
Yes. We run workshops for teams and build curriculum for organizations. Email us with your team size, your town or "online," and what you want to fix.
Do you teach online?
Yes. Our online sessions are open to people anywhere in the United States.
Which AI tools do you teach?
We teach with the tools people already have, like ChatGPT. We care more about the habit than the brand. Good context, a human check, and nothing private pasted where it should not go.
Is Monterey Bay AI a school?
We are a 501(c)(3) nonprofit focused on AI education. We teach workshops and offer certifications. We do not grant college credit.
What does it cost?
It depends on the format. Email us and we will tell you. Cost should not decide who gets to learn, which is why we run tech-equity programs.