This fall, Dean Donna Bontatibus emailed Middlesex faculty about upcoming artificial intelligence (AI) training opportunity offered through the National Applied AI Consortium (NAAIC). The NAAIC is a new initiative launched in October and funded by the National Science Foundation.
The consortium indicated it “aims to empower community colleges across the country to develop and implement AI programs, preparing students for the rapidly evolving AI workforce.”
Lin Lin, Ph.D., professor and program coordinator, CIS/MIS/Computer Science/Engineering/Technology, and Kegan Samuel, professor and Mathematics department chair, applied and were accepted into the training program, which began in November.
“The dean’s email highlighted an exciting professional development opportunity for CT State faculty to engage in AI-focused training, with the understanding that the training would lead to the integration of AI concepts into coursework and/or the development of programming to support AI education,” said Dr. Lin.
According to Dr. Lin, the online sessions featured Microsoft faculty training for AI-900: Azure AI Fundamentals certification and provided an overview of Microsoft Learn for Educators (MSLE), which includes access to Microsoft Official Courseware, teaching resources and labs.
“It was geared towards helping students complete the AI-900T00-A [course and] certification. Basic AI topics such as natural language processing, computer vision and generative AI were covered,” added Professor Samuel. “Understanding the content of the certification helps with preparing students to work in a world where AI is going to be playing a bigger role.”
Dr. Lin said the topics are directly related to her classes and the programs she coordinates, particularly CIS and MIS.
“I have been working with the MIS department at CCSU to adopt a course titled Introduction to Artificial Intelligence Applications for CT State Community College, and I have been in discussion with tool providers to incorporate hands-on labs for the course. The new course will provide students with a practical understanding of AI applications and their broad relevance across various industries. Students will be able to build AI solutions using low-code or no-code platforms,” Dr. Lin explained.
She also plans to integrate aspects from the training to revising content for CIS 1141: Introduction to MIS to help students gain practical insight into AI.
“This knowledge will be used to help students understand the role of AI and how they can use it responsibly. Like many tools, it can be used correctly or misused,” Prof. Samuel stated.
Black Dog Black Cat, a Microsoft Global Training Partner, provided the training and expertise, and Dr. Lin and Prof. Samuel received certificates for completion and vouchers to take the AI-900 certification exam.
“AI is here to stay and we need to prepare students for this new reality,” concluded Prof. Samuel.
December 2024
