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HCC and AI education partners gain support from Microsoft

Oct 22, 2024

Students attend a recent AI conference at HCC. 

A collaborative effort by Houston Community College (HCC) and other community colleges has received backing from Microsoft to expand AI (artificial intelligence) education in the U.S. and help create highly skilled AI workforce.

The National Applied AI Consortium – made up of HCC, Miami Dade College and the Maricopa County Community College District – is providing leadership, training and guidance for community colleges and companies to develop AI professionals nationally.

Microsoft’s support of the consortium’s efforts includes providing industry-aligned AI curriculum, training opportunities for college faculty.

“We are thrilled to be working with our fellow college partners and Microsoft in AI education and workforce development,” said HCC Chancellor Margaret Ford-Fisher, Ed.D. “Together we are advancing education – including students now enrolled in HCC’s bachelor’s degree program in Applied AI and Robotics.”

Through the Microsoft Learn for Educators initiative, colleges within the consortium have access to ready-to-teach curriculum and teaching materials aligned to industry-recognized Microsoft Certifications in skills ranging from cloud computing to AI. Educators have access to teaching guides, educator forums, lab environments and official Microsoft courseware.

“We are working to make AI education more available and accessible so that more people can benefit from the power of new generative AI capabilities,” said Kate Behncken, corporate vice president and global head of Microsoft Philanthropies. 

She said support for the consortium will help colleges provide students and teachers with innovative AI skills needed for many jobs across industries.

Learn more about HCC’s AI program at hccs.edu/ai-bat.