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Chico State honors Abbas Attarwala with endowed chair
Attarwala will use the funding to develop AI policy tools protecting K-12 students statewide.
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Pranavi Sharma - Tue, 12, May 2026
- 02:16 EDT
- 18
Abbas Attarwala / California State University
Indian-origin professor Abbas Attarwala has been awarded a Lantis Endowed University Chair at California State University, Chico, receiving funding to advance research on artificial intelligence policies aimed at protecting K-12 students in California.
Attarwala was among five faculty members selected this year for the annual Lantis Endowed University Chairs, a university-backed program supporting faculty research and student-focused projects. The recipients were chosen from a competitive applicant pool following an increase in the university’s endowment.
The award supports faculty work across disciplines, including projects related to water scarcity, nutrition, family well-being and community resilience. Funding from the endowment covers course release time, student research, travel and project development.
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Attarwala, a professor whose work focuses on technology and education, said his research addresses the growing role of artificial intelligence in children’s lives.
“Children today grow up immersed in artificial intelligence systems that shape their learning, development, and future opportunities, but California lacks evidence-based frameworks to protect them,” Attarwala said in his proposal.
His project will focus on translating research on AI’s developmental impact into policy recommendations for schools in California and beyond. The initiative builds on a forthcoming book outlining protective AI policies for the state and partnerships with state leaders.
According to the university, Attarwala plans to develop educator toolkits, conduct professional development workshops and support the implementation of evidence-based AI policies across Northern California school districts.
Before joining Chico State, Attarwala introduced computer science through interactive game design programs at an all-girls school in Mumbai. His recent research has also examined the impact of AI tools such as ChatGPT on children.
In announcing the awards, Chico State President Steve Perez said the faculty honorees reflected the university’s commitment to “connection, excellence, inspiration, and innovation.”
“The powerful role our faculty play in shaping a better future — for our students, our region, and communities around the world,” Perez said.
The Lantis Endowed University Chairs were established by David Lantis, a professor in the Department of Geography, and his wife, Helen Lantis, to support faculty research and student engagement.
Attarwala earned a doctorate in management sciences and engineering from the University of Waterloo. He also holds advanced degrees in applied computing and computer science from the University of Toronto and the Georgia Institute of Technology.
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