Two classes in artificial intelligence are rolling out in fall of 2026 as part of a broader effort in developing an AI associates degree at El Camino College.
The classes- AI fundamentals, and AI and Ethics-are offered through the Computer Information Systems department.
“We are beginning a process, baby steps at a time basically, but…the long term being an associate degree or bachelor’s degree,” said Professor Joanna Tang, a Computer Information Systems instructor.
The National Applied AI Consortium is a mentorship program that assists colleges in creating a curriculum to expand AI education.
ECC was selected to be a part of the program last year.
Google, Microsoft and Intel support the program by providing insight in real time to what their AI needs are within their companies.
Miami Dade College, Houston City College and Maricopa Community Colleges were among the first to participate in the program and are now serving as guides by sharing their developed AI curriculum, being transparent about what has and hasn’t worked for them.
Chief Integrated System Instructor Hac Le applied for the NAAIC mentorship program while Professor Khai Lou had already been working on AI classes with his team in the Computer Information Systems department (CIS).
El Camino College Computer Information Systems professor Hac Le at the Math, Business, Allied Health on March 30, 2026. “By building out stackable Certificates and a future associate degree in AI, we aim to offer a clear pathway from foundational knowledge to specialized skills in areas like Machine Learning, Natural Language Processing, Computer Vision, and AI Ethics.” Said Hac Le. (Mun Leong | The Union)
The CIS program is now teaching AI literacy, “how to really use AI , ethically, efficiently, and responsibly… to use as a learning tool,” Le said.
Since then, other faculty members have joined in helping create the course curriculum for an AI associates degree.
“I feel it is brilliant, it’s a brilliant move for the ECC department. The goal is really to expand access to artificial intelligence education,” Loic Audusseau, Chief Technology Officer, said.
The team is also developing certifications.
A local Business, Industry, and Leadership Team (BILT) is also being developed.
“To really inform us…what skills they need because we want a pathway to jobs for our students,” Le said.
AI degree working groups are also in the works with “a different emphasis and concentration,” said Le.
“What we want to do through that program is to really become a regional leader in community college artificial intelligence education… to me this particular initiative exemplifies leadership… at El Camino, we have decided to lead,” Audusseau continued.