Miami, August 5, 2024 – Miami Dade College (MDC), in partnership with Houston Community College (HCC) and Maricopa County Community College District (MCCCD), has been awarded $2.8 million from the National Science Foundation Advanced Technological Education (NSF ATE) program to create the National Applied Artificial Intelligence Consortium (NAAIC), a groundbreaking initiative that aims to foster the growth of technician-level artificial intelligence (AI) professionals across the nation.
The field of AI is rapidly transforming industries, businesses and society. However, there is a critical shortage of skilled AI professionals who can apply AI solutions to real-world problems. To address this gap, NAAIC, under the leadership of MDC, will serve as a national reference and resource hub for AI education and training, providing leadership, guidance and support for community colleges that want to develop or enhance their AI programs and courses.
“We are proud of Miami Dade College’s role as a national leader in AI education and workforce development,” said MDC President Madeline Pumariega. “It is an honor to be entrusted with this important initiative and work alongside other excellent institutions to establish best practices and grow the AI talent pool.”
The ultimate goal of NAAIC is to advance the education and training of a diverse and highly skilled technical workforce in the field of AI and prepare students for rewarding careers in AI-related fields. By equipping students with the AI knowledge, skills and hands-on experience needed to excel in today and tomorrow’s workforce, the consortium will contribute to the economic and social well-being of individuals, communities and the nation.
“We are proud to join the NAAIC initiative,” said Dr. Steven R. Gonzales, Chancellor of the Maricopa County Community College District (MCCCD). “Collaboration among the three institutions will allow us to bridge the AI skills gap and develop transformative learning opportunities for our students. By embedding advanced AI training into our curriculum, MCCCD will equip the next generation of professionals with the experience needed to drive innovation and spur economic growth, creating both a national and global impact.”
NAAIC already counts on an expansive network of industry partners like Intel, AWS, Microsoft, Dell, IBM and NVIDIA, among others, that will provide AI resources to consortium members. NAAIC will also engage a National AI Business and Industry Leadership Team (BILT) to identify the current and emerging needs of the AI workforce and ensure that the curriculum and competencies of community colleges align with industry standards and expectations.
Dr. Margaret Ford Fisher, Houston Community College Chancellor, said that NAAIC presents a new opportunity to advance the AI initiatives HCC started years ago as the first community college in Texas to offer an AI associate degree program and the first in the nation to launch a Bachelor of Applied Technology degree in AI and robotics.
“HCC is pleased to be part of the consortium. This initiative aligns perfectly with our commitment to innovation and our mission to prepare students for the jobs of the future,” Dr. Ford Fisher said. “Together with leading institutions and industry partners, we are advancing AI education and empowering our students to be pioneers in this rapidly evolving field.”
To learn more about NAAIC and the coming initiatives and resources for community colleges, visit https://www.mdc.edu/entec/grants/naaic.aspx.