AI program that started at Maricopa County colleges expanding nationwide

PHOENIX — An artificial intelligence program that started at Maricopa Community Colleges in collaboration with Intel and Dell Technologies will expand nationwide by 2023.

The technology companies are partnering with the American Association of Community Colleges (AACC) to bring the program, which uses Intel’s AI-based curriculum to offer an associate degree and certificate of completion in the industry, to all 50 states after beginning in the Valley in fall 2020.

“This is an exciting partnership that will build a robust and diverse talent pipeline to help support future jobs in AI and technology,” Carlos Contreras, senior director of AI and Digital Readiness at Intel, said in a press release.

“The next-generation workforce will need this kind of specialized training to develop solutions to the world’s greatest challenges, and community colleges have a huge role to play in unleashing innovative thinking.”

The program is currently available at 31 schools across 18 states, with the new partnership focusing on minority-serving institutions and tribal colleges to support under-resourced communities.

“Community colleges provide skill training and credential programs to 11 million students each year,” Walter G. Bumphus, president and CEO of AACC, said in the release.

“These programs are intended to provide the needed skills training for students to enter the job market and thrive in a job that earns them family-sustaining wages. This partnership with Intel and Dell will help us to ensure that these programs lead to meaningful employment and can also serve as the first step toward degree attainment.”

The technology companies will design a curriculum to prepare students for jobs in the real world, while also providing technical support and AI labs necessary for the program.

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