“We have developed AI certificate and degree programs for students pursuing it as a majorwhile taking an interdisciplinary approach, recognizing that AI will be essential to the future of work,” she says.
Pumariega adds: “It is important for us, especially as the workforce engine of our community, to equip our students with the skills they need to excel in all sectors and lead in a competitive job market in evolution.
Miami Dade College is one of the growing number of higher education institutions invest in AI education to ensure students have the AI skills they need to succeed in their future careers. As part of this effort, the college is providing faculty and students with the technology and software tools needed to learn AI skills.
Miami Dade AI Centers Give Students What They Need
The college has builds AI centers on two campuses – and built a third – to provide teachers and students with classroom space and access to high-end equipment. Dell computers for their AI courses. The centers also provide local businesses and the community with meeting space for AI-related events.
Miami Dade College has also partnered with technology providers to provide students with the resources they need to learn how to create, test and run AI applications and models, says Antonio Delgado, the college’s vice president of technology and innovation.
For example, a partnership with Amazon Web Services offers students some computing power in the cloud.
“Capacity is limited, but it’s enough for students to practice, build their models and see them work,” says Delgado, who is working to improve students’ access to computing resources.
Improving internal operations with AI at Miami Dade College
Miami Dade College leaders aren’t just focused on AI among academics. They have simultaneously pursued the use of AI internally to improve worker productivity and optimize business operations.
Faculty and staff tested new generative AI tools integrated into business applications, such as from Microsoft Copilot, integrated into each Microsoft 365 application. For example, employees use Copilot to transcribe Microsoft Teams meetings. They’re also testing Copilot to summarize emails or help staff write or respond to emails, Delgado says.
“We have noticed that we are increasing our productivity and efficiency by leveraging AI,” he says.
The college also used AI to analyze energy consumption in its heating and cooling systems to optimize indoor temperatures, which saved money, Pumariega says.
In the future, the college also plans to use AI to help with lesson planning, to better optimize classroom space, she says.