Jorge Caughman

Previous Degrees Obtained

Mt San Antonio Collage; Marketing, Cambridge Collage Bachelor of Science Management Studies, Cambridge Collage Masters Degree Management Students – Education,  The Epicurean School of Culinary Arts 

Research Topic

• INTERSECTION OF AI AND SUSTAINABILITY: Exploring how artificial intelligence (AI) can be leveraged to address sustainability challenges while mitigating its ethical and environmental risks.
• CREATIVE AND EXPERIENTIAL LEARNING: Investigating how hands-on, interdisciplinary, and project-based educational approaches can empower learners to integrate AI into sustainability solutions.
• ETHICAL AI USE IN EDUCATION: Developing pedagogical models that encourage ethical decision-making and critical thinking about AI’s role in fostering sustainable practices.
• AI-DRIVEN SUSTAINABILITY EDUCATION: Examining how AI tools can enhance students’ ability to solve real-world sustainability problems in areas like renewable energy, precision agriculture, and waste management.
• BRIDGING GAPS IN CURRICULUM: Addressing the under-explored intersection of AI and sustainability within STEM and other educational frameworks to create innovative teaching practices.

I am an educator, author, and business leader passionate about the intersection of artificial intelligence (AI), sustainability, and education. My academic journey has been driven by a deep commitment to reimagining how we learn in a world increasingly shaped by AI, with a focus on fostering creative, interdisciplinary approaches to address sustainability challenges.

My professional experience spans developing innovative educational programs in sustainable agriculture, community gardening, farm-to-table dining, and cottage food businesses. I have created both online and face-to-face courses, degree programs, and certificates for institutions such as Monterey Peninsula College, Monterey Adult School, and A Place Called Home (APCH) in Los Angeles. These experiences have underscored the importance of project-based and experiential learning, which empower students to tackle real-world problems through creative and ethical solutions.

In my work, I have explored how AI tools can enhance sustainability education, from predictive analytics to AI-driven business models. For example, I authored the second edition of The Cottage Food Business and its accompanying Student Guidebook, which integrate AI-based resources to help students develop their own sustainable business concepts. These efforts reflect my belief in leveraging technology not just as a tool, but as a means to cultivate critical thinking, ethical reasoning, and creative problem-solving in learners.

Through my PhD research, I aim to deepen my focus on how AI can be integrated into sustainability education to foster innovative, ethical solutions. I am particularly interested in developing pedagogical models that merge AI with experiential, creative learning, enabling students to navigate the complex intersections of technology, ethics, and environmental stewardship. My goal is to contribute to a future where education empowers individuals to harness AI responsibly for the betterment of society and the planet.

As a lifelong learner, teacher, and entrepreneur I am excited and eager to collaborate with like-minded educators and researchers to develop innovative educational practices that align technology with sustainability. Together, I believe we can equip future generations with the skills and mindsets needed to thrive in an AI-driven, sustainable world.