Howard University is advancing artificial intelligence education.

According to a news release, the university recently hosted ‘Shaping the Future: AI, Tech Innovation, and the Next-Generation Workforce,’ a campus conversation aimed at connecting national priorities, emerging research, and regional initiatives with opportunities for HBCU students.

The discussion was led by Taliontha Washington, Ph.D., executive director of the Howard University Center for Applied Data Science and Analytics, and moderated by Nicholas Abram, a College of Engineering and Architecture computer science junior and Karsh STEM scholar. The panel included U.S. Rep. Kweisi Mfume (D-MD); U.S. Rep. Ro Khanna (D-CA); and College of Engineering and Architecture Dean Kimberly L. Jones, Ph.D.

As the release notes, Washington opened the event by emphasizing the importance of preparing students for an AI-driven future. She highlighted new AI courses debuting this spring, an AI certificate program launching in fall 2026, as AFROTECH™ previously reported, and partnerships with tech companies and other HBCUs, including Amazon Web Services’ Machine Learning University Educator Bootcamp.

“Through the president’s AI Advisory Council, we are actively aligning research, curriculum, operations, and partnerships so that every Howard student gains meaningful AI literacy regardless of their discipline,” Washington said. She noted that AI’s rapid evolution requires institutions to provide students with access to relevant training and real-world experience.

Howard University continues to focus on interdisciplinary AI research spanning secure autonomy, human-machine teaming, trustworthy AI, language technologies, community-centered innovation, and digital health, per the release. The approach reflects the university’s goal of preparing students for roles that intersect technology and society.

During the event, moderator Abram raised concerns shared by many students.

“It feels like new AI tools are coming out every single day, and in this time of rapid development, many of our students are worried,” he said. “How are we supposed to adapt to this ever-changing workforce? How will you ensure HBCU students are not left behind?”

Rep. Mfume responded by quoting Martin Luther King Jr., noting the words remain relevant today.

“We stand today between two worlds — the dying old and the emerging new,” he said, adding that federal leadership is working to broaden pathways and stabilize opportunity for historically underrepresented groups.

According to the release, both Rep. Mfume and Rep. Khanna have advocated for digital equity and access to technology for underserved communities. Rep. Khanna encouraged tech companies to recruit from HBCUs and highlighted the TechWise program, which offers nine-month AI courses and job placement for students at 15 HBCUs.

“Those jobs are still going to exist. The key is to be trained and educated in the AI technology, to understand the use of that technology, and how to apply that technology,” Rep. Khanna said.

Students also asked about ethical concerns and the societal impact of AI. Rep. Khanna emphasized that AI should enhance human capability and noted that shaping its development involves not just computer scientists, but also philosophers, ethicists, and humanists.

Rep. Mfume encouraged students to recognize their influence. “Your opinion has real value,” he said.