F3 Innovate Launches AI Launchpad with Microsoft to Build Next Generation Workforce in California’s Central Valley
New program equips high school and community college students with AI, data science, and cloud computing skills to power the region’s agricultural and life sciences economy
FRESNO, Calif. F3 Innovate (F3i) today announced a new partnership with Microsoft to launch AI Launchpad, an education and workforce development program designed to equip high school and community college students across California’s Central Valley with foundational skills in artificial intelligence, data science, and cloud computing. The program aims to build a locally rooted talent pipeline that connects students to high-growth careers in agriculture, food systems, biotechnology, and environmental science, all industries increasingly being shaped by data and advanced technologies.
California’s Central Valley produces more than a quarter of the nation’s food, yet faces mounting challenges from climate volatility, water scarcity, and labor shortages. At the same time, access to AI and data-driven education remains limited, particularly in rural and underserved communities. AI Launchpad directly addresses this gap by bringing applied AI education into local schools and community colleges, ensuring that innovation is built and led by those living and working in the region.
“Agriculture, like so many industries across California today, is under increasing pressure,” said Priscilla Koepke, CEO of F3i. “The challenge for industry is how to maximize yield while dealing with difficult environmental, labor, and input conditions,” she said. “Today, innovations to these problems abound. The AI Launchpad program is about ensuring that the next generation of innovators comes from the communities closest to these challenges and providing them with the tools to solve them.”
AI Launchpad delivers a hands-on, applied learning experience that combines technical training with real-world problem solving. As part of the curriculum, students will work with Central Valley datasets, including weather, soil, and crop data to learn core concepts in AI, data science, and cloud computing. Once completed, students will have the opportunity to participate in F3i’s Data Challenges to solve real industry problems using local datasets. Currently, F3i is hosting its second Data Challenge and aims to expand the number of participating students.
“We heard from many university leaders that students in their programs wanted to participate but didn’t have the skillset,” says Ryan Dinubilo, Director of Innovation at F3i. “The AI Launchpad is a direct response to that gap, and will be about increasing the data science, compute, and AI capabilities of students and educators across the Valley.”
The program also includes educator training to help teachers integrate AI tools into classrooms, creating a sustainable regional network of AI-enabled instruction.
“AI is transforming industries like agriculture and life sciences, but the long-term opportunity depends on building talent pipelines in the communities closest to these challenges,” said Mike Egan, General Manager, Microsoft TechSpark. “Through our work with F3 Innovate, we’re helping equip students across California’s Central Valley with the AI, data science, and cloud skills needed to pursue direct careers – while supporting locally-driven innovation and economic growth.”
The Central Valley is home to more than 200,000 high school students and over 100,000 community college students across eight counties. AI Launchpad will scale through partnerships with school districts and colleges across the region, with the goal of engaging 5,000 high school students, 3,000 community college students, and 300 trained educators.
Graduates of the program will be prepared to pursue careers in agtech, biotech, and data-driven industries, contributing directly to the Central Valley’s evolving economy and helping to build a more resilient agricultural system.
AI Launchpad is part of F3i’s broader effort to build the infrastructure needed to advance innovation in agriculture and food systems, including its Supercomputing Center and Data Challenge Series. Through initiatives like AI Launchpad, F3i is helping build a model where innovation happens alongside food production, connecting students, researchers, and industry partners directly to real-world agricultural challenges. By strengthening local capacity for AI, data science, and applied technology, the initiative aims to keep talent, knowledge, and economic opportunity rooted in the Central Valley while supporting better outcomes for farmers, new career pathways for workers, and stronger regional economies.
About F3i
Headquartered in the Central Valley of California, F3 Innovate (F3i) advances resilient agriculture by developing and scaling field-ready solutions in partnership with growers and industry leaders. Through a coordinated platform that brings together growers, universities, public partners, capital providers, startups, and workforce development pathways, F3i aligns commercialization, talent, and investment around solutions that can be tested, deployed, and scaled under real agricultural conditions.
