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The New Jersey AI Hub and the New Jersey Council of County Colleges have launched a statewide initiative. Announced June 8, the program will help New Jersey’s 18 community colleges prepare students, faculty and employers for an economy increasingly shaped by artificial intelligence.
AI Ready NJ will focus on three areas:
- Helping faculty integrate AI into teaching and learning
- Building institutional capacity for AI-related education
- Expanding hands-on learning opportunities that connect students with employers using AI tools
The initiative builds on previous collaborations between the two organizations. Past collaborations include efforts to establish New Jersey’s AI and machine learning apprenticeship program, along with statewide conference focused on teaching and learning in the age of AI.
Microsoft’s TechSpark program supports the partnership as part of the company’s contribution to the NJ AI Hub. Princeton University, the New Jersey Economic Development Authority, Microsoft and CoreWeave established the center. NJBIZ has reported extensively on the NJ AI Hub. which launched last year, as well as Microsoft’s TechSpark workforce development initiatives in New Jersey.
Faculty funding
A key component of the initiative is a faculty program that will provide microgrants to as many as 100 faculty members across the state’s community college system. The grants intend to help instructors explore how they can incorporate AI into coursework, assignments, assessments and student learning. Participating colleges will also receive support for professional development and campus-wide implementation efforts.
“Community colleges are on the front lines of helping students and workers adapt to technological change,” said Liat Krawczyk, executive director of the NJ AI Hub. “AI Ready NJ gives colleges a practical way to build capacity together — supporting faculty as they test new approaches, helping students gain applied experience, and creating stronger feedback loops with employers to learn about the required skills and use cases emerging in real time.”
“Through AI Ready NJ, the state’s 18 community colleges and the NJ AI Hub are working together to ensure that more New Jersey residents and businesses are prepared to thrive in an AI-driven economy,” said Aaron Fichtner, president of the New Jersey Council of County Colleges.
“The NJ AI Hub brings invaluable expertise and knowledge that will assist the state’s community colleges as they work to serve their 255,000 students, and employers and communities across the state.”
Applying talent
The initiative also includes what organizers say could become the nation’s first AI-focused Sprinternship program. Developed by Break Through Tech, the model places students in short-term paid projects focused on solving real-world business challenges. The program intends to give students hands-on experience using AI while also allowing employers to test potential applications and connect with emerging pros[ects.
“New Jersey’s community college students have the talent,” said Judith Spitz, founder and CEO of Break Through Tech. “Break Through Tech’s Sprinternship program gives them the opportunity to apply it — through real, employer-embedded work-based learning that signals to hiring managers what a transcript cannot. Partnering with the NJ AI Hub and NJCCC to deliver this is a model the rest of the country will want to follow.”
‘Ready to lead’
State officials and founding partners said the initiative reflects a broader effort to ensure New Jersey’s workforce and educational institutions are prepared for the rapid growth of AI.
“By investing in people and institutions alike, we are making sure New Jersey is ready to lead in the industries of the future,” said Gov. Mikie Sherrill. “Through AI Ready NJ, we are bringing together educators, employers, and community colleges across the state to expand access to AI education and hands-on learning opportunities, while strengthening the talent pipeline that will power our state’s economy for years to come.”
“As AI growth transforms New Jersey’s economy, Gov. Mikie Sherrill is committed to harnessing the economic opportunities of the fast-growing industry in a responsible and meaningful way,” said Evan Weiss, chief executive officer of the NJEDA. “This partnership between the NJ AI Hub and NJCCC will ensure that Garden State graduates are prepared to enter a workforce where AI knowledge is fundamental to success, continuing New Jersey’s leadership in AI innovation.”
Top priorities
The initiative also drew support from the NJ AI Hub’s academic and private-sector founding partners.
“The NJ AI Hub is simultaneously advancing two of Princeton University’s highest strategic priorities – cultivating a thriving regional ecosystem and advancing AI innovation,” said Hilary Parker, Princeton University’s vice president and secretary. “The AI Ready NJ partnership, led by the NJ AI Hub and NJCCC, will play an impactful role in supporting New Jersey’s talented students and benefiting New Jerseyans throughout the state, building on strong and growing partnerships across academia, government, industry, and the nonprofit sector.”
The AI Ready NJ partnership … will play an impactful role in supporting New Jersey’s talented students and benefiting New Jerseyans throughout the state …
– Hilary Parker, vice president and secretary, Princeton University
“The state is investing in the infrastructure and talent to lead as AI continues to transform industries and reshape the global economy,” said Corey Sanders, senior vice president of CoreWeave. He noted that his company was founded here, is headquartered here and remains deeply committed to New Jersey’s future. “AI Ready NJ reflects our belief that workforce development is essential. By supporting students, faculty, and community colleges across the state, we’re helping New Jersey residents participate in, and help shape, the next generation of innovation.”
Working together
“AI readiness isn’t just about access to technology, it’s about making sure students have opportunities to build the experience they need to succeed,” said Mike Egan, general manager of Microsoft TechSpark. “AI Ready NJ demonstrates how public, private, and education partners can work together to build the kind of capacity that leads to in-demand skills and real job opportunities.”
In addition to the faculty grants and experiential learning programs, AI Ready NJ will create a statewide inventory of AI-related courses, programs and resources across New Jersey’s community colleges. Organizers said the effort intends to help institutions identify gaps, reduce duplication, and share successful models for AI education and workforce training.
The partners also encourage employers to participate by hosting AI-focused student projects, helping shape real-world use cases and connecting with emerging talent through the initiative’s applied learning programs.
Additional updates on faculty mini-grant opportunities, employer participation and statewide implementation efforts are expected in the coming months as AI Ready NJ moves into its next phase.
