SAN DIEGO, Calif. – [October 26, 2026] – Cadre AI, one of the nation’s leading AI strategy and implementation firms, today announced “The AI Edge”, a free AI education program that prepares high school and college students to enter university and the workforce with practical AI skills, recognized credentials, and a professional portfolio.
As an integrated AI team for organizations in private equity, financial services, real estate, and beyond, Cadre AI sees firsthand how quickly hiring expectations are changing. Across its client base and the company’s own recruiting system, the message is clear: employers expect new graduates to arrive AI-fluent. Using AI responsibly and effectively is no longer a differentiator, it is a baseline requirement.
The AI Edge brings Cadre AI’s Fortune 500 training approach to students at no cost. At its center is the AI Edge 100-Point Checklist, a free structured path from a student’s first AI conversation to a professional portfolio. Built on the leading tools Cadre AI works with as an official partner of Anthropic and OpenAI, the checklist progresses across five levels:
“We have a front-row seat at the frontier of AI, so we see every day how quickly it is changing what employers expect from new talent,” said Grayson Lafrenz, CEO and Founder of Cadre AI. “With The AI Edge, we are taking the lessons we learn alongside top C-suites, AI engineers, AI strategists, and industry experts and putting them directly in the hands of the next generation. My hope is that every student who completes this program walks into college and their careers feeling prepared, confident, and with a true edge that sets them apart.”
Students who want to go further can take on a bonus track covering AI coding tools, building applications with the Claude API, and connecting AI to other tools through the Model Context Protocol. Students finish with a portfolio ready for college and job applications, a tailored resume, a complete LinkedIn profile, a personal website, polished writing samples, research projects, and recognized certifications.
Timed to the program’s launch, Cadre AI has officially partnered with Cristo Rey San Diego High School, the first school to bring The AI Edge to its students. With a 100% acceptance rate to four year universities and located in Southeast San Diego, Cristo Rey San Diego is a college preparatory school serving students from families of limited economic means. Through its Corporate Work Study Program, every student receives 300 hours of hard and soft skills training and works in an entry-level role at a local company one day a week, gaining professional experience while helping fund their education. That commitment to career readiness, paired with Cadre AI’s commitment to investing in its hometown of San Diego, makes the school a natural first partner.
[Text Wrapping Break]“AI is already shaping the careers our students are preparing for, and we want them to walk into that future ready to lead,” said David Rivera, President of Cristo Rey San Diego High School. “Partnering with Cadre AI allows us to bring AI into our students’ education in a way that is responsible, practical, and grounded in real-world experience. We are excited to see our students build the skills and confidence to use these tools thoughtfully and turn them into real opportunity.”
In addition to bringing The AI Edge program to Cristo Rey San Diego’s student body and staff, Cadre AI will sponsor four Cristo Rey San Diego students during the 2026-2027 school year to train in person at the company’s Del Mar office, giving them a unique, hands-on experience as they complete the curriculum. The school year will culminate in an AI hackathon co-hosted by Cadre AI, where Cristo Rey San Diego students will put their new skills to work alongside local supporters and community members. For Cristo Rey San Diego students, the AI edge starts now.
To learn more about Cadre AI and The AI Edge, visit cadre.ai/next-generation-education.
About Cadre AI
Cadre AI is an AI strategy and implementation firm that helps organizations move from AI confusion to AI confidence. Operating as an integrated AI team of strategists, managers, and engineers, Cadre AI applies its signature framework to identify high-ROI opportunities department by department, implement the right tools and custom AI agents, and train teams so adoption lasts. Its services include AI Strategy, AI Leadership & Facilitation, AI Engineering, and AI Agents, serving industries including private equity, professional services, financial services, real estate, and construction. Headquartered in San Diego, Cadre AI is an official partner of Anthropic and OpenAI. Through its Next Generation Education initiative, the company extends its enterprise training approach to high school and college students. Learn more at cadre.ai.
About Cristo Rey San Diego High School
Cristo Rey San Diego High School is a member of the Cristo Rey Network of high schools, comprised of 41 career-focused, college preparatory schools across 24 states enrolling 13,000 students nationwide, delivering a career focused, college preparatory education in the Catholic tradition for students with limited economic resources, uniquely integrating rigorous academic curricula with four years of professional work experience and support to and through college. We partner with educators, businesses, and communities to enable students to fulfill their aspirations for a lifetime of success. The Cristo Rey movement empowers students to fulfill their life’s dreams.
