Amazon Web Services recently Howard University is one of five regional leadership institutions in the AWS-Machine Learning University (AWS-MLU). Howard AI Network powered by AWS. Through this network, Howard will advance AI research, expand infrastructure and capabilities, and help other universities build sustainable AI readiness in the Washington, DC metropolitan area and beyond.
The Howard-led network will increase access to cloud-enabled learning environments, enhance faculty development, and accelerate applied AI training. This will enhance the workforce readiness of our students and community and introduce open-source curricular resources designed to integrate AI and machine learning into undergraduate instruction and research. As the regional lead institution, Howard University will work with AWS-MLU to lead the design, coordination, and expansion of faculty-led AI and machine learning bootcamps, professional development workshops, and regional student business case competitions.
Through this collaboration, we are expanding opportunities to provide faculty and students with the industry collaboration tools they need to succeed in an AI-driven future.
“Being selected as a Regional Lead Institution reflects Howard University’s leadership in advancing artificial intelligence research, infrastructure and workforce development.” Dr. Dawn WilliamsInterim President and Chief Academic Officer of Howard University. “Through this collaboration, we will expand our opportunities to provide faculty and students with the industry-aligned tools they need to succeed in an AI-driven future.”
Through the Machine Learning University (MLU) Educators Consortium and Transformation Alliance, AWS sponsors efforts to help faculty and senior leaders integrate industry-aligned AI and machine learning into their teaching and research through hands-on technical training, open access curriculum, and collaboration with colleagues. AWS helps develop the next generation of skilled technology leaders by facilitating industry-aligned technical education.
In 2026, Howard University will host two multi-day AI/ML bootcamps, an intensive summer grant-writing workshop, individualized virtual mentoring, and a regional AWS business case competition to provide applied learning experiences in machine learning, deep learning, natural language processing, computer vision, and real-world problem solving.
Although the bootcamp and competition will primarily take place in the Washington, D.C., metropolitan area, the grant-writing initiative will be available to more than 1,000 faculty across the country who will develop competitive proposals that align with the AWS-MLU program’s national AI priorities.
This network is led by Dr. Talitha WashingtonExecutive Director of Howard University Applied Data Science and Analytics Centerwith faculty co-mentors. Dr. Jeremy Blackstone, Dr. Legand Burgeand Dr. Harry Keelingfrom the Faculty of Engineering and Architecture, and Eturia Salas Barnett, completed her master’s degree.from the Digital Business Center. With combined expertise across artificial intelligence, data science, digital business, and STEM education, this team is uniquely positioned to align research, teaching, industry engagement, and workforce development under Howard University’s unified vision for AI innovation.
Through a combination of faculty development, infrastructure expansion, and workforce pathways, we are accelerating the development of sustainable and scalable AI-enabled capabilities at consortium institutions,” Washington said.
Through university-wide AI initiatives, including the Howard AI Advisory Board, the university fosters interdisciplinary and multidisciplinary approaches to artificial intelligence research, infrastructure, and workforce development, preparing students to lead in an AI-enabled economy and helping the university deploy technologies that can drive impact.
“Establishing five regional leads for the AWS-MLU program is a powerful step in expanding AI and machine learning education nationwide,” he said. Dr. Margie BerraHead of Strategic Initiatives at AWS-MLU. “By co-developing content with HBCUs and community colleges, we are integrating faculty expertise and industry insights to create learning experiences that are rigorous, relevant, and accessible. HBCUs continue to lead at the forefront of AI innovation, and community colleges serve as critical engines of workforce mobility. Together, we are not just participating in the future of AI, we are defining it.”
Other regional lead institutions include Delaware State University, Alabama Agricultural and Mechanical University, City Colleges of Chicago, and Oklahoma City Community College.
