Intel and Arizona’s Maricopa County Community College District (MCCCD)have set up an artificial intelligence (AI) incubator lab for students aspiring to land jobs in professions that increasingly draw on AI technology.

The AI incubator lab in Arizona, and the associate degree programme it supports, is the first of its kind in the USA.

“We are committed to the re-skilling of the American workforce and to advancing diversity and inclusion to ensure that the next generation of technologists are prepared and provided opportunities for AI education,” said Michelle Johnston Holthaus, Intel executive vice president.

The AI incubator lab builds on Intel’s AI for Workforce programme launched in 2020 at schools across the USA, with the Maricopa district being the first to enrol students.

The lab at Chandler Gilbert Community College opens its doors with $60,000 worth of Intel-based platforms including workstations and open-source Intel AI software tools. It will support courses that include introduction to machine learning, AI for computer vision, natural language processing and AI for business. The incubator lab is now open to the 200 Chandler Gilbert Community College students currently enrolled in that programme.

“Within the last two years, we have been able to see our students gain new AI skills, and we are proud to have our first graduating class from the AI programme this spring,” said MCCCD chancellor Steven Gonzales. “This lab is critical to providing the necessary tools for their education, and we are appreciative of Intel, Dell and the state of Arizona for the designated space so our faculty and students can thrive.”

Johnston Holthaus added: “Our goal is to make this programme available in all 50 states by 2023. We are grateful for our partners, including Maricopa County Community College District, Dell and the state of Arizona, for joining with us to help increase digital readiness of our future workforces.”

Intel wants to help the US workforce learn new skills, advance diversity and inclusion, and help democratise emerging technologies such as AI.Additionally, key elements of Intel’s corporate responsibility Rise goals include increasing the number of people working in technology from underrepresented and underserved communities and, more broadly, expanding digital readiness worldwide to reach 30 million people in 30,000 institutions in 30 countries by 2030.

The existing programme and new lab emphasise hands-on work to make AI accessible to novice learners. Students develop traditional skills such as data collection, AI model training, coding and exploring the societal impact of AI technology. Coursework includes the creation of a social impact AI project that is developed with guidance from teachers and mentors.

The programme has 200 students. Around 13,000 students attend the community college. All are eligible to apply for the AI for Workforce programme.

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