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 first event, AI Unlocked: Powering Productivity, takes place on Friday, Oct. 10 (details below). This session spotlights successful AI adoption by leading local entrepreneurs and experts:
Deborah Cujiño Deras, founder of Synergy Unlimited LLC, is an AI educator and leadership trainer who bridges industry and classroom experience to equip students, entrepreneurs, and professionals for the future of work.
Eric Egolf, CEO of CIO Solutions, is an IT leader helping Central Coast businesses boost productivity and security through managed services, cloud solutions, and AI-driven tools.
Casey O’Toole, founder of LinkyBot, empowers small businesses to increase productivity and sales by harnessing practical, AI-powered LinkedIn automation.
Attendees will gain firsthand knowledge of real-world use cases, actionable AI tools, and strategies they can immediately apply to their own businesses and workflows.

The AI Unlocked series continues with two additional events this fall: AI Unlocked: Sparking Innovation on October 24, and 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.”

SBCC’s Scheinfeld Center’s AI Unlocked: Powering Productivity
• Location:  Fe Bland Forum (inside BC Building) on SBCC’s West Cliff Campus
• Admission and parking: Free event with free parking on West Cliff Campus 
• Santa Barbara County business owners, students, educators, and employees are encouraged to attend.

Details for all three events in the series are available on the Scheinfeld Center website.

MEMBERS OF THE MEDIA
Interviews with event administrators and students can be arranged via the contact information below. 

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.

About the SBCC Career Center
The Career Center at Santa Barbara City College offers career counseling, job and internship search support, workshops, and events to help students achieve their educational and career goals. For more information, visit sbcc.edu/careercenter.

About Santa Barbara South Coast Chamber of Commerce 
The Santa Barbara South Coast Chamber of Commerce, from Goleta to Carpinteria, is a regional business organization with the mission to help South Coast businesses, residents, and visitors thrive. Through leadership and collaboration, the Chamber is the principal economic development entity advocating for the business community. We engage with businesses, elected officials, and regional partners in proactive business initiatives that foster the South Coast’s unique business environment and create opportunities for our communities. The Chamber is proud to represent local business members who create 75,000 jobs on the South Coast! To learn more, visit sbscchamber.com.    

About the Economic Development Collaborative
The Economic Development Collaborative (EDC) is a 501(c)3 nonprofit established in 1996 to foster business growth, economic prosperity, and a high quality of life for all. Today, EDC is a regional asset for economic vitality across the greater Ventura and Santa Barbara county region, giving businesses, community partners, and civic leaders the resources they need to succeed. By leveraging public and private funds, the EDC has become a key player in delivering business consulting, funding, and strategic initiatives that support the regional economy. To learn more, visit edcollaborative.com.