Artificial intelligence is transforming how businesses operate, but as AI systems become more capable of making decisions and performing tasks independently, a new challenge is emerging: who will secure them?
A new investment from identity security company Okta aims to help prepare the next generation of technology professionals to answer that question.
On October 23, 2026, Okta announced an expanded partnership with CodePath, a national nonprofit focused on expanding access to technology education and careers.
Through its Okta for Good initiative, the company is committing $3 million over three years to support cybersecurity education with a stronger emphasis on artificial intelligence.
The partnership reflects a growing recognition that developing AI systems is only part of the challenge. Organizations also need professionals who understand how to protect those systems, manage access to sensitive information, and identify potential security risks. okta.com
Why AI is changing cybersecurity education
Traditional cybersecurity training often focuses on protecting networks, applications, devices, and user accounts.
AI agents introduce additional challenges.
Unlike conventional software that follows narrowly defined instructions, AI agents may interact with multiple applications, retrieve information, and execute actions on behalf of users or organizations.
That creates questions about identity, permissions, accountability, and oversight.
For example, an AI agent helping a company manage internal operations may need access to several business systems. Security professionals must determine which information the agent can access, which actions it can perform, and how to prevent unauthorized activity.
These challenges are driving demand for engineers who understand both AI technology and cybersecurity fundamentals.
Okta’s expanded partnership with CodePath is designed to address that intersection.
What the $3 million investment will support
According to Okta, the three-year grant will help CodePath make AI security a foundational component of its technical education programs.
The initiative will support the integration of security and agentic-AI concepts across CodePath’s course catalog.
It is also intended to bring AI security education to students studying computer science, students in related technical disciplines, and engineers already working in the industry.
The emphasis is on practical skills that prepare learners to understand and address emerging security challenges.
The funding is a grant to CodePath for educational programming. It is not a scholarship pool or direct cash grant available to individual students.
CodePath’s approach to expanding technology opportunities
CodePath works with colleges, students, and technology employers to help prepare learners for careers in software engineering and related technical fields.
The nonprofit reports reaching more than 40,000 students across approximately 1,000 colleges, with connections to thousands of hiring companies.
Its educational model emphasizes industry-aligned technical training, practical projects, and career preparation.
CodePath also offers eligible computer science students and alumni access to courses at no cost.
By incorporating AI security into its curriculum, the organization aims to help learners develop skills relevant to a changing technology workforce. codepath.org
The people behind the partnership
The announcement highlights the work of CodePath Chief Product Officer Chris Coleman, whose responsibilities include developing education that responds to changing industry needs.
CodePath is led by co-founder and CEO Michael Ellison.
On the corporate side, Okta’s investment reflects its broader focus on identity security and the challenges created by AI agents operating across business systems.
While the announcement does not identify a woman founder or executive as the leader of this particular initiative, its educational implications are relevant to women entering or advancing in technology careers.
That distinction matters: this is a story about expanding access to emerging technical skills, rather than a woman-led funding announcement.
Why this matters for women in STEM
Cybersecurity offers career paths that combine technical problem-solving, analytical thinking, risk management, and an understanding of how organizations operate.
As AI becomes more integrated into business systems, the boundaries between software engineering, data science, and security are changing.
For women studying computer science or exploring technical career transitions, exposure to AI security can provide an additional area of specialization.
Programs that connect technical education with real-world industry needs may also help learners understand which skills employers increasingly expect.
The Okta–CodePath partnership illustrates how technology companies and educational nonprofits can collaborate to address workforce needs while broadening access to specialized training.
A broader shift in technology workforce development
The partnership comes during a period of significant change for CodePath.
Earlier in 2026, the organization announced its collaboration with Anthropic and Social Finance on Claude Corps, a paid fellowship designed to prepare early-career professionals to apply AI within nonprofit organizations.
CodePath has also collaborated with universities, including Howard University, on AI-focused technical education.
Together, these initiatives reflect a broader effort to align technology training with how AI is changing work.
The latest Okta investment adds a cybersecurity dimension to that strategy.
As organizations deploy increasingly autonomous systems, professionals who understand how to build, evaluate, and secure AI technology will play an important role in determining how responsibly those systems are used.
For students and emerging professionals, the message is clear: the future of technology careers will require not only learning how to use AI, but also understanding how to make it safe and trustworthy.
Sources & Further Reading
- Okta — Securing AI Takes More Than Code (October 23, 2026)
- CodePath — Official website and educational programs
- CodePath — Claude Corps partnership
- Howard University — Applied AI course partnership (January 13, 2026)
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