Miami high school students will continue learning about artificial intelligence and machine learning through specialized bootcamp training thanks to a partnership between the Mark Cuban Foundation and Miami Dade College.
The Mark Cuban Foundation AI Bootcamp is a free opportunity for high school students within a 30-mile radius of the MDC Kendall campus to immerse themselves in an introductory learning course in artificial intelligence.
Designed to help students prepare for college and, eventually, the job market, the course is open to students of all levels of technology experience who wish to participate. The program will take place at the MDC Kendall campus on Nov. 2, 9 and 16, according to a news release.
Expanding artificial intelligence within the Miami-Dade County public school system is important to improve education and prepare students for the future of the workforce, said Miami-Dade Public School Board Chairwoman Mari Tere Rojas of District 6, who represents Key Biscayne, Coral Gables and other parts of the county.
Last year, District 6 offered its own AI-focused courses for teens at five high schools, specializing in decision making, speech recognition, translation and perception, Rojas added.
But the discussion about AI in education goes beyond just hands-on training, she stressed.
“It is also important to ensure that all students participate in digital literacy courses that help address ethical concerns surrounding the use of AI,” she said.
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Rojas believes that the need for ethical learning must be emphasized.
“Knowing what constitutes plagiarism promotes ethical awareness and students learn the importance of originality, honesty and integrity in their academic and professional work,” Rojas said.
The bootcamp will select 25 students, regardless of experience level, and will offer teens the opportunity to learn from qualified tech experts, connect with peers and immerse themselves in real-world scenarios, according to the application webpage. Applications close on September 30.
“As AI continues to become an undeniable force in our lives, it’s crucial that we open the door to this knowledge, especially to young people who want to explore it,” founder Mark Cuban said in a statement. “As the technology grows and becomes more advanced, it becomes increasingly critical that we ensure our students are prepared when they apply to schools or jobs in the future.”
The school board is also working to expand AI-related courses to additional high schools across the county for the 2024-25 school year. The district has also partnered with Miami Dade College to give high school students free access to college-level courses focused on AI.
Job readiness is also important to Rojas, who said she will continue to emphasize the need for digital literacy.
“My top priority has always been the safety of our students and ensuring that we, as a school district, prepare them academically to compete in a global, digital society,” she said.
TATIANA PINHEIRO is a reporter for Miami Fourth Estate and works as part of an internship program under the auspices of the Craig Newmark School of Journalism at the City University of New York, where she is a graduate student.
