On a crisp November evening at Alumni House, the Berkeley community gathered for a conversation that felt both urgent and hopeful. The event, titled “Democratizing AI Through Platforms,” promised a look at how artificial intelligence is becoming more accessible to students, engineers, and everyday learners. The Center of the IssueGuiding the panel was Dr. Napoleon Paxton, Chief Innovation Officer at AI Squared and lecturer at UC Berkeley. Event moderator, Dr. Napoleon Paxton seated, holds an open Berkeley notebook while preparing to guide the conversation. Berkeley has long been a home for people who push boundaries while keeping community impact at the center of their work.