NAAIC and Dell Technologies Collaborate to Advance AI Education and Workforce Readiness

The National Applied AI Consortium’s (NAAIC) collaboration with Dell Technologies brings Dell’s education resources to educators and institutions across NAAIC’s national network. For middle and high school educators, Tech Career Circuit, developed by Dell Technologies and Discovery Education, offers free, standards-aligned AI and technology lessons. Community colleges can express interest in hosting a Dell Higher Education Hackathon with hands-on challenges in agentic AI, computer vision or LLMs. Additionally, the Dell Grants Support Program serves the public sector including community colleges and K-12 school districts, providing complimentary research, guidance and proposal support to help education institutions identify and pursue federal and state funding and foundation support. Together, these resources support applied AI education across the learning pathway, from the classroom to the workforce.

Dell Technologies also brings its expertise in AI infrastructure, devices and services to the collaboration. For community colleges, that includes solutions supporting responsible AI adoption and AI-driven research. For K-12 school districts, Dell provides solutions designed to create secure learning environments and simplify technology management. Paired with NAAIC’s national network, these capabilities help prepare learners for an AI-enabled workforce.

Strengthening Connections Between Education and Industry

At the center of the collaboration is a shared focus on connecting educators with industry perspectives, emerging technology trends and practical applications of AI. By exchanging insights and best practices, Dell Technologies and NAAIC aim to strengthen digital and AI fluency while helping institutions align learning with evolving workforce needs.  

"Meaningful progress in AI and education happens when we listen, learn and move forward together," said Adrienne Garber, Higher Education strategist, Dell Technologies. "Our collaboration with NAAIC creates an important space to co-construct a shared mission with educators. By elevating best practices and exploring responsible approaches to AI, we can help turn its promise into meaningful student outcomes, from empowering teachers and faculty to equipping students with the career-relevant skills they need to thrive.”

“A strong AI workforce starts well before college and continues well after it,” said Antonio Delgado Fornaguera, founder of NAAIC and vice president of innovation and technology partnerships at Miami Dade College. “With Dell, we can offer teachers at every stage of the pipeline resources they can use now, along with the industry connection that keeps what we teach aligned with what employers need.”

Looking Ahead

The collaboration creates opportunities for continued engagement through mentorship and a Community of Practice, with additional details to come. Institutions and educators interested in working with Dell Technologies and NAAIC can complete the collaboration interest form or express interest in Dell Higher Education Hackathons, both available on the partner page here!

Info Session

To introduce the partnership and share how institutions can get involved, NAAIC will host an info session on December 8, 2026, from 2-3 P.M. EST. 

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