Savannah State, IBM partner to boost student AI skills

SAVANNAH, Ga. (WTOC) - Savannah State University freshmen are getting a head start on the future, before they even finish their first year.

More than 400 students registered for an IBM SkillsBuild artificial intelligence workshop, launching a new partnership between the university and IBM. Savannah State is one of only 30 institutions nationwide selected for the “SkillsBuild AI Freshman University Initiative,” which focuses on building foundational AI skills and awarding industry-recognized credentials.

Students completed short modules covering real-world AI applications, including chatbot creation, generative content, sports analytics, and technology used in industries such as cosmetics and live sports.

All freshmen must complete the three-hour, self-paced course “Getting Started with Artificial Intelligence,” now embedded in the First-Year Experience curriculum. The course teaches how AI works, explores industry use cases, and addresses ethics and bias.

“The IBM partnership provides students with a competitive edge as they enter the regional, national, and global workforce,” said Frank J. Mendelson, lecturer in the College of Business Administration.

The initiative will provide students access to more than 1,000 free courses, as well as opportunities for paid micro-internships, mentorship, and personalized career pathways.

University leaders say the effort aligns with workforce trends, as the World Economic Forum projects artificial intelligence and information processing will be among the most transformative forces shaping the job market by 2030.

“AI is essential to student learning because AI is the future,” said IBM leader Dorethea Spencer.

Officials say the workshop is the first in a series designed to prepare students for a technology-driven workforce.