November 2024
In September, multiple entities focused on education and the workforce came together to host regional forums about how generative AI and other technological advancements are changing the way people work and learn. Golden LEAF staff was invited to participate in the forums.
The purpose of the forums was to understand why a change in learning related to AI and other technology matters, what it means for the state and region, and how leaders can work together to navigate the challenges and opportunities ahead.
Organizations leading the event were the NC Chamber; myFutureNC; NC Community College System and Foundation; NC School Superintendents’ Association; the NC Science, Mathematics, and Technology Education Center and the Burroughs Wellcome Fund; and the Successful Practices Network. Participants in the forums included leaders from business, government, education, and community organizations.
One of Golden LEAF’s priority areas is workforce preparedness. Golden LEAF supports workforce projects that increase the number of qualified individuals with skills aligned with current and future needs of North Carolina businesses and prepare students with the technical and life skills necessary to enter work.
Golden LEAF Program Officer Kimberly Smith participated in the regional forum held at Pitt Community College on September 26th to help facilitate discussions and to learn more about the need for collaboration around AI and technology. Other forums were held at Catawba Valley Community College on September 16th and the Davidson campus of Davidson-Davie Community College on September 17th. A fourth forum was scheduled for September 27th at Wake Tech Community College but was canceled as a result of Hurricane Helene.
Golden LEAF President, Chief Executive Officer Scott T. Hamilton attended the September 16th forum and facilitated a table discussion.
Smith shared that the event kicked off with keynote speaker, Executive Director of the Successful Practices Network Dr. Bill Daggett, presenting a view of how technology is changing the workforce and what jobs are likely to be most impacted by AI.
North Carolina Community College System President Jeff Cox gave remarks on the future of AI, what is happening in the region, and how labor market trend data is shifting because of AI.
“A question was posed to the audience about which industries in your region do you think are most resilient or most vulnerable to advancing technology, and what changes are needed in education and training to prepare the future workforce,” said Smith.
As a table facilitator, Smith helped report on group discussions.
“It was collectively agreed that it is the responsibility of everyone in the room to ensure that our students and existing workforce have the necessary skill sets to adapt to the increasingly changing workforce,” said Smith.
In the third segment, education and business leaders presented on how they incorporate AI into their day-to-day professions.
“Happy Gingras, Vice President of Academic Affairs and Chief Academic Officer at Martin Community College gave the forum participants a glimpse at how she incorporated AI into the classroom by creating a fully AI generated course for students,” said Smith.
Smith said that she took away from the forum that educators, government officials, and business leaders need to purposefully form unprecedented partnerships to help strengthen industry and education, as it relates to AI and technology.
“As a Program Officer, we are always looking to identify the education-to-employment pathways,” said Smith, “and now that the demands of the workforce are becoming more sophisticated through AI, it is important that the level of training and education match that demand.”
The conversation continued at the North Carolina Community College System Annual Conference in October with Dr. Daggett continuing the conversation about how AI will increasingly impact business and industry and therefore the skills, knowledge, and qualities students will need to be successful in the workforce.
“I have no doubt there will be a collective action plan that results from these conversations,” said Smith. “After all, our workforce will have to be ready for what is here and what’s to come.”