The National Applied AI Consortium (NAAIC), a national leader in advancing equitable artificial intelligence education and workforce development for higher education faculty, today announced the expansion of its mission into high schools with a $299,990 grant from the National Science Foundation. The move extends AI learning opportunities to students earlier in the education pipeline and helps prepare the next generation for success in an AI-driven economy.

Until now, NAAIC has focused on building pathways to the AI workforce through community colleges, creating access to AI education, workforce training, and industry-aligned credentials for learners preparing for careers in emerging fields. The expansion into high schools marks a strategic next step in that mission. The goal is to help teachers prepare their students with AI concepts, skills, and career pathways before they enter postsecondary education.

The initiative will bring AI education resources, curriculum support, and career-connected learning opportunities to high school educators, helping them strengthen pathways into high-demand AI careers as aligned with industry demand. This reflects NAAIC’s long-term vision of creating a talent pipeline for the AI economy.

Through the NSF-funded initiative, NAAIC will support more than 600 high school teachers with free professional development opportunities focused on AI education. This includes practical teaching materials, a high school resource hub comprising instructional artifacts, and strengthened access to a national AI education network. This summer, NAAIC will launch training opportunities with industry and educational partners including established AI curriculum as well as self-guided certifications.

“Preparing America’s future workforce for the age of AI is urgent, and it starts with teachers,” said Dr. Amy Rubinson, K-12 AI Director at NAAIC. “By expanding training and resources for high school educators, NAAIC helps teachers build the confidence to bring AI into the classroom, motivating thousands of students to pursue AI college pathways and future careers. ”

About the National Applied AI Consortium (NAAIC)

NAAIC connects academic institutions, industry leaders, and educators nationwide to build a robust national AI talent pipeline. Led by Miami Dade College, Houston City College, and Maricopa Community Colleges, we're democratizing AI education by bringing cutting-edge, industry-informed teaching to the educators building the AI workforce. For more information, visit https://www.naaic.ai.

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NAAIC's new initiative will bring AI education resources, curriculum support, and career-connected learning opportunities to high school educators.