Forsyth Tech gets $916,000 NSF grant to grow AI degree program

North Carolina community colleges are expanding artificial intelligence training across the state this fall as workforce demand accelerates, spectrumlocalnews.com reported. According to a U.S. Census Bureau Business Trends and Outlook Survey cited in the reporting, one in five businesses in North Carolina currently use artificial intelligence.

Forsyth Technical Community College Secures NSF Grant

Forsyth Technical Community College is receiving $916,000 from the National Science Foundation to grow its new artificial intelligence degree program. Program leaders said the funding will help upgrade equipment, build an employer-driven AI lab, and introduce humanoid robots to campus.

AI professor Joey Bryant explained the technical scope of the upcoming additions.

Students will gain the ability to write code for them, extract data, and perform analytical tasks, alongside managing them through artificial intelligence and machine learning; as they formulate queries and script answers, we will utilize supervised machine learning so learners gain hands-on practice in building the exact large language models utilized by every artificial intelligence agent.

Joey Bryant

Bryant added that the initial phase focuses on deep dives into machine learning, neural networks, and visual computing. Years two and three will integrate humanoid robotics and robotic arms to maintain workforce alignment.

Curriculum Expansion Across 58 Community Colleges

To meet growing state demand, Forsyth Tech led a consortium of community colleges that created 24 new artificial intelligence courses. These courses are rolling out for availability across all 58 of North Carolina’s community colleges.

Those courses are based on working with vendors who have AI curriculum that we can use and offer, as well as certifications that are offered industry wide, Bryant said.

In addition to its standalone coursework, Forsyth Tech is partnering with Central Piedmont Community College to develop an interdisciplinary AI robotics degree. This program will allow students across any major to learn how to program humanoid robots and robotic arms.

Students Apply AI Coursework to Daily Jobs

Nearly 80 students are enrolled in online courses within Forsyth Tech’s AI certificate and degree program this fall. Hannah Willson, one of the enrolled students, noted the practical advantages of the curriculum.

The biggest benefit has been being able to immediately apply what I’m learning in the class into my work on the day to day. I’m learning about AI, machine learning, chat bots, and natural language processing in class and then get to work with them immediately, 30 minutes later, Willson said.

Students across various disciplines can access specialized courses inside the new on-campus lab once outfitting is complete.