In the bustling corridors of Hartford, Connecticut, a digital revolution is brewing. The state is taking a proactive stance to ensure its workforce is not left in the dust by the rise of generative artificial intelligence (AI). With many jobs poised to rely heavily on AI in the future, Connecticut aims to arm its residents with the necessary tech skills before they become obsolete, outwitted by the relentless march of smarter machines.
Enter the Citizens AI Academy, a groundbreaking initiative touted as the first of its kind in the United States. This free online repository will feature a curated selection of classes aimed at teaching fundamental AI skills or providing certification for employment. The goal? To help people stay current in an ever-evolving technological landscape. The challenges are significant, especially for state legislators who must navigate the fast-paced world of AI and weigh various approaches to education and implementation.
Gregory LaBlanc, a professor of Finance, Strategy, and Law at the Haas School of Business at Berkeley Law School, suggests that the focus shouldn’t be on understanding how AI works but rather on how to use and manage it. After all, computers are rapidly becoming adept at performing tasks that were once exclusively human. This perspective is reflected in Connecticut’s AI Academy, initially part of a broader AI regulation bill that didn’t pass but is still being actively developed by state education officials.
Connecticut’s initiative isn’t happening in a vacuum. Across the country, states like California are also exploring ways to incorporate AI into education. One proposed bill would require a state working group to integrate AI literacy skills into the curriculum for subjects like math, science, history, and social science. The aim is to ensure that future generations understand AI principles and applications, can recognize AI in action, and are aware of its implications, limitations, and ethical considerations.
The Citizens AI Academy, however, promises to go beyond basic digital literacy. While it will offer certificates for completing skill programs that are essential for various careers, it will also cover foundational topics such as digital literacy and how to interact with chatbots. The importance of these skills extends beyond mere technical know-how; they are crucial for understanding, evaluating, and effectively interacting with AI technologies. Whether it’s conversing with a chatbot or engaging with machines that replicate human decision-making, the ability to grasp these concepts is invaluable.
A recent study by job-search company Indeed underscores the urgency of these educational efforts. According to their September 2023 report, nearly every job listed on their platform includes skills that could be performed or augmented by generative AI. Alarmingly, about 20% of these jobs are considered “highly exposed,” meaning that AI is excellent at performing 80% or more of the mentioned skills. This statistic highlights the pressing need to narrow the nation’s digital skills gap, a task that has long been the focus of advocates working to improve computer literacy and access to reliable internet and devices, particularly in underserved urban and rural areas.
As Connecticut and other states forge ahead with initiatives like the Citizens AI Academy, the hope is that these efforts will equip workers with the tools they need to thrive in an AI-driven future. By staying ahead of the curve, we can ensure a workforce that is not only capable but also confident in navigating the complexities of a world increasingly dominated by artificial intelligence.
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