New ‘AI Sandbox’ Expands Industry-Level Learning Opportunities
Cal Poly Pomona students now have access to more resources behind the power of artificial intelligence through the launch of the university’s AI Sandbox, a hands-on learning environment designed to bring advanced computing tools into the classroom.
Access to industry-level equipment is being made possible by Computing for Humanity, a nonprofit focused on distributing advanced technology that recently donated four high-performance servers. These are resources typically beyond the reach of student learning and research.
“Partnering with Cal Poly Pomona reflects a strong alignment between Computing for Humanity’s mission and Cal Poly Pomona’s polytechnic identity, where hands-on learning, applied research and real-world problem-solving are central,” said Roy Chartier, founder and interim executive director of Computing for Humanity. “Together, we’re expanding equitable access to high-performance computing and helping enable the next generation of researchers, builders, and innovators.”
The four high-performance Supermicro Graphics Processing Unit (GPU) servers are a set of powerful computers specially designed for advanced artificial intelligence tasks. Each unit is packed with multiple high-performance graphics processors, the same type of technology originally developed for gaming but now widely used to train AI systems and analyze large amounts of data.
A Polytechnic Approach to AI Education
At the core of the AI Sandbox is Cal Poly Pomona’s polytechnic philosophy of hands-on learning.
Students are not only using advanced computing systems; they’re building and managing them with tasks ranging from installing hardware to configuring software environments.
“The AI Sandbox will give students across all disciplines the opportunity to both use and manage AI infrastructure,” said Curtis Carpenter, CPP’s director of advanced computing. “We’re preparing them with the practical skills and real-world insight needed to lead in an AI-driven workforce.”
The AI Sandbox builds on existing student-led initiatives like the university’s Student Data Center and Security Operations Center, further embedding practical learning into the campus technology ecosystem.
“The goal of this project is to replicate our success with our student-run data center and student-run security operations center,” said Alex Hardwood, associate vice president of advanced computing and chief technology officer. “Giving our students these opportunities helps prepare them for their future real-world experiences and careers.”
Expanding AI Access Across Disciplines
The project is fostering collaboration across campus, bringing together students from data science, engineering, business and beyond to tackle real-world challenges using shared tools and datasets. Projects can range from data storytelling to market analysis, while environmental studies students can work with scientific datasets and modeling tools.
By lowering barriers to access and emphasizing hands-on learning, the AI Sandbox is opening the door for a broader range of students to explore technologies they may not have previously considered.
“Having access to this kind of environment early on can change everything,” said Christopher J. Serrano, a CPP student studying information security who works for the Department of Advanced Computing. “It’s about giving students the opportunity to explore and build with new technology,”
AI is typically associated with technical fields, but the AI Sandbox is intentionally designed to spark ideas that can break down barriers. For example, marketing students can leverage this computing power to measure sentiment across large amounts of surveys, articles, or social media posts to determine levels of satisfaction that can then inform their work.
For research students, this type of computing power is not uncommon at select universities, but faculty sponsorship is typically required to use a tool with this capability whereas CPP’s AI Sandbox is open to all.
“We hope to remove barriers of entry and provide a more open space for students to test AI-related concepts,” said Bill Luong, CPP system administrator who is also a master’s student studying information security. “We wanted to approach the AI Sandbox from a student-first perspective and set up the infrastructure for the main audience.”
Lowering Barriers to AI Access
One of the biggest challenges in AI education is access to computing power, particularly graphics processing units (GPUs) essential for running many AI models.
“Not every student can afford a machine with a GPU,” said Adam Webb, a student assistant for CPP’s Department of Advanced Computing. “This platform gives them access to tools they otherwise wouldn’t have.”
The AI Sandbox addresses this gap by providing a shared, on-campus environment where students can experiment without the cost or limitations of commercial cloud platforms.
As demand for AI and data science skills continues to grow, initiatives like the AI Sandbox are helping prepare students for careers in rapidly evolving fields.
Through its partnership with Computing for Humanity and its continued investment in experiential learning, CPP is positioning itself at the forefront of accessible AI education, ensuring that innovation is not limited by access, but driven by opportunity.