#United States #Atlanta #Generative AI #Clark Atlanta University #IBM SkillsBuild

Clark Atlanta University's Partnership with IBM

Clark Atlanta University (CAU) has announced an innovative partnership with IBM SkillsBuild, aimed at developing the next generation of developers skilled in artificial intelligence (AI). This collaboration is set to play a vital role in closing the significant skills gap noted in recent workforce reports, as the demand for AI capabilities continues to grow beyond existing educational provisions.

The Reality of AI Skills Gap

According to the World Economic Forum’s Future of Jobs report, the skills gap remains a critical obstacle to business innovation, with an alarming 39% of skills predicted to become obsolete by 2030. Additionally, a joint study by IBM and Morning Consult revealed that a staggering 76% of developers do not consider themselves experts in generative AI, illustrating a pressing need for enhanced training and resources in this field.

Understanding these challenges, Clark Atlanta University and IBM have embarked on a mission to cultivate essential AI skills among students, setting them on a path towards thriving in a technology-driven job market. Dr. Charlene D. Gilbert, CAU’s Provost, expressed the importance of this initiative:

"By equipping our students with essential AI competencies, we not only prepare them for future opportunities but also ensure that the development of artificial intelligence reflects the broad range of perspectives of the communities it serves."

This initiative not only seeks to bridge the skills gap but also aims to ensure that AI systems are developed inclusively, reflecting the diversity of the communities they serve.

Components of the Collaboration

The partnership encompasses several key elements designed to enhance learning and practical experience for students:

1. Faculty Training

IBM will provide AI training and resources to faculty at Clark Atlanta University. This support will enable educators to seamlessly integrate advanced AI concepts into their teaching, enriching the learning experience for students.

2. Real-world Learning Experiences

Students will engage in hands-on labs that allow them to explore AI concepts in depth. These labs, which last up to 90 minutes, will cover topics such as code generation and data classification using IBM's open-source large language models, including Granite.

3. Innovation Challenges

The collaboration will also introduce innovation challenges, such as hackathons, providing teams of students an opportunity to apply their learning in real-world scenarios and develop creative tech solutions.

4. Capstone Projects

Selected students will have the unique opportunity to work on capstone projects using watsonx, IBM’s portfolio of generative AI solutions. Under the mentorship of IBM experts and their professors, these students will tackle practical real-world problems, with guidance on specific assignments related to diverse industries including finance, healthcare, and telecommunications.

5. Foundational AI Courses for Beginners

To complement advanced instruction, new introductory courses will be available for students from various disciplines. These one-hour courses will focus on fundamental AI concepts such as building chatbots and exploring text-to-speech applications, ensuring that students of all backgrounds can appreciate and understand AI technologies.

About Clark Atlanta University

Founded through the merger of Atlanta University (established in 1865) and Clark College (1869), Clark Atlanta University has a long-standing commitment to developing African American leaders. Today, with nearly 4,000 enrolled students, CAU serves as the largest entity within the Atlanta University Center Consortium and plays a key role in the United Negro College Fund.

To learn more about Clark Atlanta University, visit their official website at cau.edu.

About IBM SkillsBuild

The IBM SkillsBuild program is designed to make technology education more accessible. It offers over 1,000 courses in various technical fields, helping adult learners and students alike gain new skills that align with market needs. By participating, students can earn valuable IBM-branded digital credentials.

For more details on IBM SkillsBuild, visit skillsbuild.org.

By fostering this collaboration, Clark Atlanta University and IBM are taking significant strides towards creating a future full of skilled, confident AI developers.