Enhance Students' Workforce Readiness through Industry Partnerships: Building Authentic AI Learning

Artificial intelligence enables machines to learn from data and perform cognitive functions associated with the human mind. As part of the academic vanguard, we have a responsibility to equip tomorrow’s leaders with skills and strategies to create sustainable, inclusive and positive impacts on our communities in these emerging fields. However, the AI skill crisis is recognized as the biggest barrier for wider AI adoption. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics projects that the number of positions for computer and information scientists and engineers (the occupation grouping that includes AI) will grow over 15% in the next 10 years. An AI-driven economy will require a new look at the nation’s workforce development approach including ways to empower a non-technical audience with AI literacy for real-world challenges. Dell Technologies and Intel have partnered to implement a comprehensive AI readiness program in collaboration with post-secondary education systems and governments around the world. In the U.S., we’ve focused on building the future AI-ready workforce through authentic learning opportunities. This session is ideal for any post-secondary institution who is exploring industry partnerships to enhance their curricular offerings. Our goal is to provide a case study of the AI skills gap to highlight what ways industry collaboration can augment your institution’s instruction, reskilling and upskilling of the future workforce with respect to emerging technologies.