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Pacific Center for Advanced Technology Training Marks 25 Years with AI Summit in Honolulu
The Pacific Center for Advanced Technology Training (PCATT) celebrated its 25th anniversary with the PCATT AI Summit 2026: AI for Action and Impact, a two‑day gathering that unfolded on June 4–5 at Honolulu’s Ala Moana Hotel. The summit, organized by the University of Hawaiʻi Community College consortium, brought together industry leaders, educators, and university staff to examine how artificial intelligence is reshaping the local economy.
At its core, the event unfolded around four interlocking pillars: Trust in AI, AI & the Future of Work, Public/Social Interest in AI, and The Mechanics of AI. The agenda urged local businesses and schools to collaborate on AI literacy programs and to carve out stable economic pathways for residents. Senior Advisor to the President of the University of Hawaiʻi System, Kim Siegenthaler, opened the gathering, underscoring how AI is actively redefining Hawaiʻi’s workforce alignment.
Keynote speakers added gravitas to the proceedings. Chris Barton, the founder of the music‑recognition app Shazam, spoke about the importance of innovation and ethical considerations in AI development. Dave Free of the Cisco Networking Academy outlined strategies for adapting education training to the rapid pace of technological change. Both addressed the same audience with a common message: the future of AI is as much about people as it is about code.
Participants noted the summit’s pragmatic focus. Alexi Drouin, a panelist, said the discussions helped him see how to balance AI’s power with ethical standards and human connection. Branden Baker of Intech Hawaiʻi described the event as an opportunity to engage with Hawaiʻi’s tech educators and industry leaders, stressing the importance of safely leveraging AI to build a resilient workforce and diversify the state’s economy.
Lakshanya Krishnarajan, a healthcare IT professional, added that the sessions provided deep insights into how AI is transforming education, cybersecurity and workforce development. He highlighted the trust‑building sessions and real‑world demos that offered actionable steps for community implementation.
PCATT’s commitment to workforce development was highlighted by its newly expanded curriculum. The center now offers an AI for workforce pathway that trains participants in generative AI and machine learning—an initiative that was prominently featured at the summit and signals a continued focus on preparing Hawaiʻi’s next generation of tech talent.
The summit also underscored PCATT’s identity as a not‑for‑profit consortium of the University of Hawaiʻi Community Colleges. Historically, the consortium has partnered with local industry to deliver technology training, and the 25‑year milestone marks a decade of growth in AI education and workforce development.
As the event drew to a close, a collective call echoed across the hall: academia, industry, and government must continue to collaborate to ensure AI tools are used responsibly and that Hawaiʻi’s workforce remains competitive in a rapidly evolving global economy.
Looking ahead, PCATT plans to launch new AI training modules and to expand partnerships with local businesses. The organization will also continue to monitor the ethics and trust issues discussed at the summit, aiming to embed these considerations into future curricula and workforce initiatives. The 2026 summit thus serves not only as a celebration of a quarter‑century of impact but also as a launchpad for the next chapter in Hawaiʻi’s AI journey.
At its core, the event unfolded around four interlocking pillars: Trust in AI, AI & the Future of Work, Public/Social Interest in AI, and The Mechanics of AI. The agenda urged local businesses and schools to collaborate on AI literacy programs and to carve out stable economic pathways for residents. Senior Advisor to the President of the University of Hawaiʻi System, Kim Siegenthaler, opened the gathering, underscoring how AI is actively redefining Hawaiʻi’s workforce alignment.
Keynote speakers added gravitas to the proceedings. Chris Barton, the founder of the music‑recognition app Shazam, spoke about the importance of innovation and ethical considerations in AI development. Dave Free of the Cisco Networking Academy outlined strategies for adapting education training to the rapid pace of technological change. Both addressed the same audience with a common message: the future of AI is as much about people as it is about code.
Participants noted the summit’s pragmatic focus. Alexi Drouin, a panelist, said the discussions helped him see how to balance AI’s power with ethical standards and human connection. Branden Baker of Intech Hawaiʻi described the event as an opportunity to engage with Hawaiʻi’s tech educators and industry leaders, stressing the importance of safely leveraging AI to build a resilient workforce and diversify the state’s economy.
Lakshanya Krishnarajan, a healthcare IT professional, added that the sessions provided deep insights into how AI is transforming education, cybersecurity and workforce development. He highlighted the trust‑building sessions and real‑world demos that offered actionable steps for community implementation.
PCATT’s commitment to workforce development was highlighted by its newly expanded curriculum. The center now offers an AI for workforce pathway that trains participants in generative AI and machine learning—an initiative that was prominently featured at the summit and signals a continued focus on preparing Hawaiʻi’s next generation of tech talent.
The summit also underscored PCATT’s identity as a not‑for‑profit consortium of the University of Hawaiʻi Community Colleges. Historically, the consortium has partnered with local industry to deliver technology training, and the 25‑year milestone marks a decade of growth in AI education and workforce development.
As the event drew to a close, a collective call echoed across the hall: academia, industry, and government must continue to collaborate to ensure AI tools are used responsibly and that Hawaiʻi’s workforce remains competitive in a rapidly evolving global economy.
Looking ahead, PCATT plans to launch new AI training modules and to expand partnerships with local businesses. The organization will also continue to monitor the ethics and trust issues discussed at the summit, aiming to embed these considerations into future curricula and workforce initiatives. The 2026 summit thus serves not only as a celebration of a quarter‑century of impact but also as a launchpad for the next chapter in Hawaiʻi’s AI journey.
