FLX AI Hub

Objective:

Empower K-12 educators with foundational knowledge and practical skills in artificial intelligence (AI), enabling them to integrate AI concepts into classroom instruction and foster ethical, inclusive, and future-ready learning environments.

Key Actions:

• Create a modular curriculum covering AI fundamentals, applications in education, ethical considerations, and hands-on tools for classroom integration.
• Align content with ISTE Standards for Educators and AI4K12’s “Five Big Ideas in AI.”
• Offer tiered training opportunities (introductory, intermediate, advanced) via in-person workshops, online courses, and microcredentials.
• Include real-world examples, classroom resources, and lesson plans demonstrating AI integration across subjects.
• Examine how AI can help create lesson plans, improve instructional design, ensure accessibility, manage communication, and enhance other productivity tools.
• Embed topics such as algorithmic bias, data privacy, and inclusive AI use in the school curriculum.
• Facilitate reflective discussions and case studies on AI’s impact on marginalized communities.
• Establish an AI Educators Network for peer mentorship, resource sharing, and community-based learning projects.
• Partner with local colleges, tech companies, and educational nonprofits to co-develop content and provide guest instruction.

Impact:

• Increase educator confidence.
• Create future-ready classrooms.
• Increase ethical awareness.

Objective:

Support economic development in the Finger Lakes region by offering AI consulting, training, and applied research services tailored to the needs of businesses and government.

Key Actions:

• Develop and test AI applications (e.g., customer service chatbots, demand forecasting, workflow automation).
• Provide workforce training and customized professional development programs for regional employers.
• Facilitate partnerships to co-create AI-driven solutions.
• Organize annual AI and Innovation Summits to showcase community collaborations and best practices.

Impact:

• Increase technological adoption and innovation capacity among regional businesses.
• Leverage AI to enhance the productivity of local businesses, allowing owners and employees to focus more on strategic growth and innovation.

Objective:

Promote AI awareness and digital skills for all community members through accessible education and outreach.

Key Actions:

• Host public workshops, speaker series, and hands-on AI demonstrations at FLCC and partner locations (such as libraries, schools, community centers, and online).
• Offer free or low-cost introductory courses in AI for seniors, job seekers, and adult learners.
• Providing resources on the ethical use of AI and data privacy.

Impact:

• Enhance community understanding of AI’s role in daily life and decision-making.

Objective:

Integrate AI literacy and application into a broad range of academic programs at FLCC, preparing learners for an increasingly AI-enhanced workforce.

Key Actions:

• Develop microcredentials and course modules focused on AI fundamentals, ethics, and real-world applications.
• Partner with academic departments to embed AI concepts into existing courses (e.g., data science in environmental studies, generative AI in media arts, machine learning in health sciences).
• Offer faculty professional development and curriculum redesign support to ensure pedagogical alignment with emerging AI tools.
• Establish AI-focused student projects and interdisciplinary capstone experiences.
• Offer professional development to show how to use AI in instructional design.
• Identify AI best practices for learners.
• Leverage AI to create, curate, and potentiate Open Education Resources (OER).

Impact:

• Graduates will be equipped with 21st-century digital fluency and competitive workplace skills.
• Faculty across disciplines will gain confidence in teaching with and about AI and, where appropriate, use AI to assist them in designing their courses.