The rapid evolution of Artificial Intelligence demands a dynamic, responsive educational system. The National Applied AI Consortium (NAAIC) is on a mission to bridge the gap between higher education and the evolving demands of the AI workforce.  

We are proud to announce the release of the Applied AI Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities (KSA) for AI Associate Degree, a new national framework set to revolutionize how community colleges prepare the next generation of AI technicians. The KSA is a practical tool designed for community colleges seeking to create or enhance AI programs that align with industry demand. It helps faculty design workforce-relevant courses, build stackable credentials, and prepare students for emerging roles across sectors.

‍The Industry-Driven Blueprint

At the core of this effort is NAAIC's National AI Business & Industry Leadership Team (BILT). This team, composed of AI industry leaders, innovators, and educators, serves as a co-creator of the educational roadmap.  

They worked collaboratively to identify the essential Knowledge and Skills that AI technicians will need in the next 12-36 months. This forward-looking, industry-informed approach ensures that students are prepared for the jobs of tomorrow, not just the practices of today.

‍What's in the Framework?

The KSA framework provides a comprehensive baseline for Applied AI Associate Degree programs, ensuring graduates are truly workforce-ready. It defines competencies across six critical, interconnected domains:

1. Foundations of AI & Data: Students will master core concepts like defining AI, explaining the role of statistics, and applying essential data cleaning techniques.

2. Machine Learning (ML): This section focuses on the ML process, from understanding and evaluating different models to applying both supervised and unsupervised learning algorithms.

3. Responsible & Ethical AI: Recognizing that ethical practice is non-negotiable, the framework includes crucial skills to explain ethical risks, identify bias, and apply ethical AI frameworks in practice.

4. AI Applications: This domain equips students with hands-on skills in high-demand areas like Natural Language Processing (NLP) and Computer Vision (CV).

5. Business Applications & Strategy: Moving beyond technical coding, the framework includes essential professional skills such as defining use cases, applying ML for business performance prediction, and visualization/communication for business impact.

6. Professional & Emerging Skills: To ensure long-term career success, this section covers cutting-edge and durable skills like Prompt Engineering, how to stay current with the field, and Storytelling to articulate how to solve problems for a business.

Looking Ahead

To ensure this roadmap remains on the cutting edge of technological change, NAAIC is committed to updating the KSA framework annually. This yearly revision process, informed by the National BILT, will guarantee that our educational pathways continuously adapt to the latest advances in AI and industry needs. By leveraging this resource, community colleges can confidently launch or refine programs that deliver world-class, workforce-aligned instruction, ensuring students from every background can pursue rewarding careers in Applied AI.

Ready to build the future of AI education?

Download the Knowledge and Skills for Applied AI Associate Degree report.

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