San Jose State University president Cynthia Teniente‑Matson is pursuing an explicit strategy to integrate generative AI across academics and operations, partnering with OpenAI and industry heavyweights to make the campus a conduit between Silicon Valley employers and public higher education. The university launched AI‑literacy certificates, first‑year orientation on acceptable AI use, and faculty development programs backed by local tech partners. Teniente‑Matson frames the initiative as workforce development: the campus is situated in Silicon Valley and aims to accelerate career pipelines while alleviating faculty concerns through training and infrastructural support. The CSU‑OpenAI deal that extends ChatGPT and other tools to students and faculty is part of a broader push that includes collaborations with IBM, Microsoft and NVIDIA. For public universities, San Jose State’s model spotlights opportunities and risks: deep industry partnerships can fund infrastructure and boost placement, but they raise questions about curriculum control, vendor dependence, and ensuring equitable student access and academic integrity.