Part of Intel's Digital Readiness program portfolio, AI for Workforce prepares current and future workers with key skills in Artificial Intelligence (AI). Intel provides over 500 hours of AI content to community colleges, including pre-packed courses. In addition, professional training for faculty and implementation guidance is offered by Intel. Community colleges use this content to develop AI certificates, augment existing courses, or launch full AI associate degree programs for students. AI for Workforce launched in the U.S. in 2020 through partnerships with governments and community colleges. Over 70 schools in 32 states have joined the program as of July 2022.
Why is AI for Workforce Important?
The Artificial Intelligence (AI) field is booming, and as a country, developing an AI workforce is critical to remaining globally competitive. Demand for AI skills is expected to grow exponentially over the next three years and drive a need for workers to learn new technical skills across industries. A 2021 survey of higher education educators and IT decision-makers found that 69% of all respondents sensed increasing demand from employers for graduates with AI technical skills.
- Despite the demand for AI instruction at community colleges, only 45% of respondents report that their school offers any AI technical course, certification or degree program.
- To elevate AI instruction, community college respondents indicated their institution would most benefit from greater industry support for professional development, followed by additional funding and support to acquire computing capabilities.
AI for Workforce Program Goals
Empower the workforce with necessary AI skills for employability in the digital economy.
- Gain Technical Confidence in AI
Equip the future workforce with the technical confidence to learn and apply AI skills independently. - Enhance Employability For AI-Related Jobs
Build necessary technology, career growth and social skills on AI for jobs ahead. - Produce Evidence For Employment
Demonstrate solutions through AI projects capturing industrial or social impact.
Who Can Participate?
- Designed for students from employability education institutions in the U.S. (e.g., community colleges, vocational schools).
- No prior tech or coding knowledge is needed — only foundational math skills.
- Students from all backgrounds are encouraged to join.
AI for Workforce Stories
What Does Intel Provide?
- Ongoing peer support network for college faculty. There are over 70 partners in the network, click here to learn more.
- Over 500 hours of content, including four pre-packed courses with assignments, quizzes, and lab activities. The content is also available in a modular format that is flexible to map to institutions' needs.
- Train-the-trainer model delivery for community college faculty with ongoing technical support for lead faculty from Intel.
- Applied AI domains in statistical data, natural language processing (NLP) and computer vision skills. Includes multiple industry use cases incorporating the latest technology trends and practical application projects.
- AI Lab design and technology models: in-person, virtual and hybrid delivery.
What Skills Do Students Gain?
Technical Skills
Programming and coding, data science, computer vision, natural language processing, algorithmic and computational thinking with Intel technologies.
Social Skills
AI ethics and bias reduction, critical thinking, problem-solving, system mapping and solutions building, social and emotional skills.
Career Growth Skills
Career pathfinding skills, entrepreneurial mindset, design and systems thinking skills.
Recent News
Expanding to all 50 states - Intel is joining with the American Association of Community Colleges (AACC) and Dell Technologies to enhance artificial intelligence education across community and technical colleges in all 50 states by 2023 as part of Intel’s AI for Workforce program. Learn more about the Artificial Intelligence Incubator Network progress here.
First AI for Workforce incubator lab - Intel and Arizona’s Maricopa County Community College District (MCCCD) announced a new artificial intelligence (AI) incubator lab for students aspiring to land jobs in areas ranging from business to nursing to healthcare and other professions that increasingly draw on AI technology. Watch the news video here.