SC State University, NVIDIA announce collaboration to expand AI education, workforce development
Collaboration to strengthen student opportunities, research and innovation in applied artificial intelligence
The partnership establishes a strategic framework to integrate NVIDIA’s AI technologies, training programs and developer ecosystem into SC State’s academic, research and workforce initiatives.
“This partnership represents another major step forward for South Carolina State University as we continue expanding opportunities for our students in high-growth fields that are shaping the future,” SC State President Alexander Conyers said.
“Working with a global technology leader like NVIDIA helps position our students, faculty and researchers at the forefront of artificial intelligence, advanced computing and innovation,” Conyers said. “This partnership also reinforces SC State’s role as a driver of workforce and economic development in South Carolina and beyond.”
Through the agreement, students across disciplines will gain access to hands-on learning opportunities, certifications and training in advanced computing, machine learning and data science tools aligned with high-demand industries.
The initiative is expected to strengthen opportunities for student research, innovation and workforce preparation while expanding access to careers in emerging technology fields.
“AI is essential infrastructure, like the internet or electricity,” said Ned Finkle, Vice President of Government Affairs at NVIDIA. “This new collaboration with South Carolina State University will help students learn on the technology shaping every industry, gain the skills to build with AI, and bring that capability into communities, companies, and classrooms across South Carolina.”
U.S. Rep. Ro Khanna (D-California) helped support discussions that led to the collaboration between NVIDIA, SC State and several other HBCUs as part of broader efforts to expand access to technology education and workforce opportunities.
“This is exactly the kind of partnership we need to ensure the benefits of the AI revolution reach everyone,” Khanna said. “Supporting HBCUs like South Carolina State is key to expanding access to tech careers and closing the racial wealth gap.”