A new collaboration between Hawaiʻi and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) will be opening the door to artificial intelligence education that reaches far beyond a traditional college degree.

The effort has been designed to help people build practical AI skills through short term programs while connecting them with real world projects and future employment opportunities.

Nicole Cacal, executive director for True Initiative, said the organization brought together partners from MIT to make the program possible.

“This is a really exciting initiative that, True was able to convene, our partners over at MIT, including the MIT Media Lab, to be able to bring AI curriculum to Hawai’i’s community colleges.”

The initiative will center on the MIT Path program, which Cacal said is still in its first year. Massachusetts and Georgia currently serve as AI hubs for the program, and Hawaiʻi is working to become the next.