AI Made Simple & Safe 2.0: Self-eSTEM Hosts Hands-On AI Workshop in Oakland

On February 21, 2026, Self-eSTEM hosted AI Made Simple & Safe 2.0: Creating Custom AI Agents, a hands-on workshop designed to make artificial intelligence accessible, practical, and easy to understand. Held at Mushin in Oakland, CA, the event brought together professionals, educators, and community members for an interactive “Brunch & Learn” experience focused on building real-world AI skills.

Following the success of its inaugural AI Made Simple & Safe session during Oakland Tech Week in 2025, this second installment expanded into a deeper, tiered learning experience, meeting participants where they are and guiding them step by step into more advanced applications of AI. The approach was simple: no jargon, no overwhelm, just clear, practical learning that builds confidence and capability.

The session was led by Self-eSTEM Founder and Executive Director Adamaka Ajaelo, alongside guest speaker Brian Jenney, Senior Fullstack AI Engineer and Founder of Parsity. Together, they guided participants through foundational and advanced concepts, emphasizing both innovation and responsibility in an AI-powered world.

Brian Jenney led a Digital Literacy: Online Safety Masterclass focused on data protection, reinforcing a critical message: as AI adoption grows, understanding how to safely navigate and protect information is essential.

Get a quick look at the energy and impact from AI Made Simple & Safe 2.0:
👉 https://youtube.com/shorts/M-W0KOZXatI

Throughout the workshop, participants didn’t just learn about AI, they actively built with it. The session focused on:

• Creating custom AI agents for real-world use
• Strengthening digital literacy and data protection practices
• Applying AI tools in professional and personal contexts
• Building confidence through hands-on, guided learning

One participant shared the impact of the experience:

“I didn’t know anything about AI and now I know quite a bit. I’m excited to figure out ways to use it in my work, in my personal life and in my businesses.”
— Josephine, M.D., Bay Area Doctor

Hear From Participants

Participants walked away with real confidence and practical skills. Hear directly from attendees:

• 👉 https://youtube.com/shorts/VliDog8VnYI
• 👉 https://youtube.com/shorts/47JsX5D12-g
• 👉 https://youtube.com/shorts/sVnSXmOjlik

This moment reflects the broader transformation happening through Self-eSTEM’s programming: moving learners from uncertainty to clarity, and from curiosity to real-world application.

The AI Made Simple & Safe workshop series is part of Self-eSTEM’s broader strategy to expand digital and AI literacy across generations, ensuring that communities are not only exposed to emerging technologies, but equipped to use them confidently and responsibly.

This is what Self-eSTEM learning looks like: clear, practical, and community-centered.

Join the Movement

At Self-eSTEM, we are committed to empowering youth and young adults to explore, lead, and innovate in STEM. Visit www.selfestem.org to learn how you can support through donations, partnerships, mentorship, or volunteering. Together, we can build a more inclusive future in STEM.

Stay connected:
Instagram @selfestem | LinkedIn @self-estem | Facebook @selfestemorg | YouTube @selfestem