Our AI Program provides an opportunity for a Cal Poly student to align a passion for collaboration with her long-term career goals.
Published
02/6/2025
For Hasti Abbasi Kenarsari, technology isn’t just about innovation—it’s about impact. A Computer Science student at California State Polytechnic University, Pomona, Hasti is on a mission to harness the power of artificial intelligence to address real-world challenges. Through her involvement in Break Through Tech’s AI Program in Los Angeles, she’s taking bold steps toward a future where AI can be a force for cultural preservation and social good.
Finding Break Through Tech Through Community Hasti’s journey with Break Through Tech began when she discovered the program through sheCodes, a club on campus dedicated to empowering underserved groups in tech. Drawn to the program’s focus on industry-relevant machine learning tools and neural network training, she saw an opportunity to align her passion for collaborative learning with her long-term career aspirations.
“I wanted to participate in the Break Through Tech AI Program because of the direct correlation between the resources it provides and my career goals,” Hasti explains. “I was drawn to the emphasis on training neural networks and navigating design decisions. I envisioned myself contributing to the program while indulging in meaningful conversations and expanding my professional network.”
Shaping a Career in AI and Machine Learning For Hasti, Break Through Tech has been a pivotal experience—confirming her desire to build a career in artificial intelligence and machine learning. She sees AI as more than just an emerging technology; to her, it’s a field with the potential to drive innovation and solve critical challenges.
“Break Through Tech showed me how data-driven decision-making serves as the backbone for many critical processes, addressing complex problems inside and outside of the tech community,” she says. “A career in this field equips me with the tools to implement autonomous processes and transformative algorithms, providing a sense of security in an uncertain world.”
Preserving Indigenous Languages Through AI As part of Break Through Tech’s AI Program, Hasti is contributing to a pilot project focused on using AI to support the revitalization of endangered Indigenous languages in Guyana. This initiative is designed to help sustain the linguistic heritage of communities whose languages are at risk of disappearing. By developing a language translation portal, Hasti and her team aim to bridge the gap between technology and cultural preservation, ensuring that these languages remain accessible for future generations.
Advice for Future Break Through Tech Students Reflecting on her journey, Hasti encourages other students to fully embrace the opportunities Break Through Tech provides. “Take advantage of the abundance of opportunities ahead of you,” she advises. “Work hard to make meaningful contributions as you learn how to effectively divide the responsibilities of your team to maximize productivity.”
“Navigate challenges with confidence, knowing you have an incredible support system of peers, challenge advisors, mentors, teaching assistants, and Break Through Tech staff.”
Inspired by Family, Driven by Passion Hasti credits her father, a software engineer, as her biggest inspiration for pursuing a career in technology. “He has instilled in me the values that make me who I am and shown me the importance of an unwavering work ethic. He has always been my pillar of strength as I navigate through life,” she says.
As she continues her academic journey and deepens her expertise in AI, Hasti remains committed to leveraging technology for meaningful change. Whether it’s through advancing AI-driven solutions or mentoring others in the field, she’s determined to make a lasting impact—one breakthrough at a time.
Follow Hasti’s journey on LinkedIn.