Developing the Blue-Collar AI Workforce

人工智能(AI)在医疗、教育、金融和制造业等行业的广泛使用，需要一支熟练的AI劳动力。这个项目的目标是创建一个项目，增加有资格受雇为人工智能技术人员的准备工作的学生。该计划将创造新的职业人工智能技术人员途径，并利用基于问题的学习经验来激发人们对人工智能职业的参与度和兴趣。由此产生的计划将包括暑期桥、高中课后计划、行业参与、教师专业发展和旨在提高招生和留校率的循证实践。该项目的第二个目标是增加进入人工智能劳动力的低收入和非传统学生的数量。该项目将测试这一假设，即通过基于问题的学习早期接触人工智能对注册和证书获得产生积极影响。研究的重点将是基于问题的学习体验如何激发人们对人工智能职业的兴趣和参与度。该项目将有助于建立案例教学方法的知识库，以提高人工智能学习目标的实现。评估计划将确定节目对目标受众的影响，并将向项目团队提供反馈，以根据需要调整节目。评估设计包括明确和具体的学生表现目标，并具有可衡量的品质。该项目由高级技术教育计划资助，该计划专注于为推动国家经济的先进技术领域培养技术人员。该奖项反映了NSF的法定使命，并通过使用基金会的智力优势和更广泛的影响审查标准进行评估，被认为值得支持。

The widespread use of artificial intelligence (AI) in industries like healthcare, education, finance, and manufacturing necessitates the need for a skilled AI workforce. The goal of this project is to create a program that will increase the pool of work-ready students who are qualified for employment as AI technicians. The program will create new career AI technician pathways and make use of problem-based learning experiences to stimulate engagement and interest in AI careers. The resulting program will feature a summer bridge, high school after school program, industry engagement, faculty professional development, and evidence-based practices designed to enhance enrollment and retention. A secondary goal of the project is to increase the number of low-income and nontraditional students entering the AI workforce. The project will test the hypothesis that early exposure to AI through problem-based learning positively impacts enrollment and credential attainment. Research will focus on how problem-based learning experiences can spark interest and engagement in AI careers. The project will contribute to the knowledge base of case study teaching methods in enhancing the achievement of learning objectives in AI. The evaluation plan will identify the impact of the program on the target audience and will provide feedback to the project team to adjust the program as needed. The evaluation design includes clear and specific student performance objectives with measurable qualities. This project is funded by the Advanced Technological Education program that focuses on the education of technicians for the advanced-technology fields that drive the Nation's economy.This award reflects NSF's statutory mission and has been deemed worthy of support through evaluation using the Foundation's intellectual merit and broader impacts review criteria.