AI Academy Program Format

The AI Academy program is an innovative program designed and implemented in collaboration with over 100 partners including Lexmark, IBM, Citrix, Honeywell, Delta Air Lines, TIAA, MGM, GE Appliances, Bank of America, Randstad, and others. The AI Academy program is a workforce development program which is designed as an upskilling program for incumbent workers employed at one of our partnering organizations.

The program is a combination of 40 weeks of live, online, coursework and concurrent, on-the-job training working alongside an AI industry professional. Since the program inception in 2020, we have had seven cohorts of participants complete the program and receive their NC State University credentials/certificates.

We have two Cohorts that are underway now in 2025. In 2026, there will be two entry-points for new program participants to begin their work. These include our Cohort 10 on January 12 and Cohort 11 on July 6. Each Cohort will have only 100 seats available. Our recruitment period is ongoing but will close when all seats have been allocated for each Cohort.

If you are interested in joining the AI Academy in 2026, please apply now. Keep in mind, if you do not have previous programming experience, we offer a free-of-charge self-paced course Foundations of AI which we will make available to applicants who need this course prior to beginning. It takes about 30 hours to complete the course.

The cost of the program is $1,750 per course and there are four total courses in the program. The total cost of the program is $7,000. Individuals who complete the program receive industry-recognized certificates including Data Scientist and Artificial Intelligence Associate.

AI Academy Course Format

The AI Academy curriculum is comprised of four courses: Computer Programming with Python, Introduction to Artificial Intelligence, Data Mining, and Machine Learning. You will complete one course each ten weeks of the program. There will be live, online course meetings each week using Zoom videoconferencing technologies. First, there will be a pre-recorded SEMINAR each week, which is a 120 minute session where the introduction of new concepts, skills, and tasks will be presented and discussed. Each course will also include two WORKSHOP sessions each week which are 120 minutes each where participants will be guided through the application of content as they complete group and individual tasks to grow their understanding of the content.

Workshop sessions are generally offered on Monday/Wednesday and Tuesday/Thursday. You must attend one option on Monday/Wednesday and one option on Tuesday/Thursday. Our start times are all EST time zone and include options at 6 p.m. to 8 p.m., as well as 8:15 p.m. to 10:15 p.m. each week but vary based on day of the week. More details will be shared regarding your specific cohort at the time of program acceptance.

AI Academy Schedule

The AI Academy coursework spans nearly one year. There are a total of 40 weeks in classes with breaks between each class offering of at least two weeks to provide participants with flexibility to plan vacations and other personal business as desired. Our program is live and virtual, so most participants are able to attend our workshop sessions from just about anywhere around the globe.

SCHEDULE FOR COHORT EIGHT

START DATE – January 6, 2025

Course #1: Computer Programming with Python

Lead Instructor: Travis Martin,  NC State

January 6, 2025 to March 14, 2025

Course #2: Data Mining

Lead Instructor: Travis Martin, NC State

March 31, 2025 to June 6, 2025

Course #3: Introduction to Artificial Intelligence (AI)

Lead Instructor: Dr. Collin Lynch, NC State

July 7, 2025 to September 12, 2025

Course #4: Machine Learning

Lead Instructor: Dr. Min Chi, NC State

September 29, 2025 to December 12, 2025 

SCHEDULE FOR COHORT NINE

START DATE – July 7, 2025

Course #1: Computer Programming with Python

Lead Instructor: Travis Martin,  NC State

July 7, 2025 to September 12, 2025

Course #2: Data Mining

Lead Instructor: Travis Martin, NC State

September 29, 2025 to December 12, 2025

Course #3: Introduction to Artificial Intelligence (AI)

Lead Instructor: Dr. Collin Lynch, NC State

January 12, 2026 to March 20, 2026

Course #4: Machine Learning

Lead Instructor: Dr. Min Chi, NC State

April 6, 2026 to June 12, 2026

SCHEDULE FOR COHORT TEN

START DATE – January 12, 2026

Course #1: Computer Programming with Python

Lead Instructor: Travis Martin,  NC State

January 12, 2026 to March 20, 2026

Course #2: Data Mining

Lead Instructor: Travis Martin, NC State

April 6, 2026 to June 12, 2026

Course #3: Introduction to Artificial Intelligence (AI)

Lead Instructor: Dr. Collin Lynch, NC State

July 6, 2026 to September 18, 2026

Course #4: Machine Learning

Lead Instructor: Dr. Min Chi, NC State

October 5, 2026 to December 18, 2026

SCHEDULE FOR COHORT ELEVEN

START DATE – July 6, 2026

Course #1: Computer Programming with Python

Lead Instructor: Travis Martin,  NC State

July 6, 2026 to September 18, 2026

Course #2: Data Mining

Lead Instructor: Travis Martin, NC State

October 5, 2026 to December 18, 2026

Course #3: Introduction to Artificial Intelligence (AI)

Lead Instructor: Dr. Collin Lynch, NC State

January 4, 2027 to March 12, 2027

Course #4: Machine Learning

Lead Instructor: Dr. Min Chi, NC State

March 29, 2027 to June 11, 2027