On an October morning inside Fayetteville State University’s Science and Technology Building, the future of North Carolina’s classrooms took an unexpected shape: a circle of teachers, laptops open, wrestling with prompts, prototypes, and the possibilities of artificial intelligence.
Some had never opened an AI tool before. Others had used it cautiously. But all of them left the building seeing AI not as a threat, but as a skill set.
This marked the launch of the AI Literacy Bootcamp, a first-of-its-kind collaboration between Fayetteville State University, AI Learning Central, and Cumberland County Schools, designed to give educators the tools, confidence, and ethical grounding to teach in an era of rapidly evolving technology.
And for Dr. Sambit Bhattacharya, professor of computer science and director of FSU’s Intelligent Systems Laboratory, one thing is clear:
“Teachers are the bridge between innovation and opportunity. By giving them the tools and confidence to use AI responsibly, we’re preparing an entire generation to lead with knowledge, not fear.”
A statewide push to keep pace
North Carolina is working to catch up in the race toward an AI-ready workforce. A July 2025 national report ranked the state No. 28 in AI readiness, citing gaps in computer science education (No. 24) and digital infrastructure (No. 39) as areas for improvement. In response, Gov. Josh Stein issued Executive Order No. 24, calling for statewide training and equitable access to emerging technologies.
FSU’s mission — as one of the state’s oldest public HBCUs and a regional engine for research — made it a natural partner.
“This work aligns with who we are,” Bhattacharya said. “We are committed to preparing communities for an era where AI literacy is essential for every student’s future.”
A new model for professional development
Unlike typical one-day workshops, the bootcamp spans three sessions and was co-designed by Bhattacharya and Ashlee Russell, founder and CEO of AI Learning Central. Russell said the model is intentionally different.
“Instead of a one-off workshop, teachers learn with FSU faculty and students, create their own AI tools, and immediately apply what they learn,” Russell said. “It’s practical, collaborative, and rooted in strong pedagogy — not just tech exposure.”
Teachers explore AI literacy, design thinking, ethical leadership, and project-based learning aligned with the Presidential AI Challenge.
The challenge, created by the federal government, encourages educators and students nationwide to design AI-driven solutions to real-world problems.
“Their biggest ‘aha’ moments come when they see that AI can be fun, safe and deeply connected to learning — and that they can use it confidently while protecting students,” Russell said.
Preparing students for future-ready skills
For Cumberland County Schools (CCS), the partnership builds on work already underway.
Dr. Theresa Perry, executive director of K-12 Academic and Instructional Systems, said the district joined the grant-funded effort to deepen teacher knowledge and broaden opportunity.
“We’re hopeful teachers will expand their knowledge and continue preparing students with future-ready skills,” Perry said. “CCS developed AI guidance in 2024, and we will continue to explore opportunities to equip teachers with emerging skills that benefit our students.”
Career and Technical Education Director Chip Lucas has already grown AI integration through SparkLab at Douglas Byrd High School and new AI coursework, laying the K-12 foundation that the bootcamp builds upon.
Inside the Intelligent Systems Lab
While teachers gain classroom-ready tools, FSU students are gaining something equally powerful: hands-on research experience rarely offered at the undergraduate level.
Senior computer science major Paul Rodriguez mentors students and supports educators participating in the bootcamp.
“It has been an amazing experience working with educators within CCS,” Rodriguez said. “Their creativity in finding solutions proves students can achieve great applications.”
His own research spans collaborations with NASA, the Department of Defense, and national security partners, often involving the detection of small objects in video and analyzing behavior shifts in large crowds.
Rodriguez said the biggest lesson for educators is understanding how AI should be used.
“AI should be an extension of a person’s knowledge base. You should always question what AI generates. AI literacy in K-12 will be pivotal for preparing students for the future.” He said FSU’s lab has been central to his growth.
“I always have said to all my fellow research colleagues, the Intelligent Systems Laboratory is the best-kept secret at Fayetteville State University,” he said. “We work with industry standard tools like Docker, GitLab, HuggingFace — tools many companies expect students to already know. This lab gives us that experience.”
A blueprint for North Carolina’s AI future
As the final bootcamp sessions wrap this month, the partnership is already drawing attention as a replicable model for other districts. Russell said the strength lies in the cross-sector collaboration.
“The combination of university expertise, district insight, and adaptable curriculum means this can scale, especially in rural or high-need communities. We hope it becomes a pathway for building AI literacy statewide,” said Russell.
Bhattacharya said the work is ultimately about human-centered problem-solving.
“AI is reshaping how we think, create, and solve problems,” said Bhattacharya. “But it will always need human guidance, human context, and human purpose.”
The bootcamp is only a starting point. But for the teachers who gathered at FSU this fall — and the students who will eventually benefit — it’s a sign that North Carolina is preparing not just for an AI future, but for a thoughtful one.
Education reporter Dasia Williams can be reached at dwilliams@cityviewnc.com.
