Seeing The Future Today: Camp RISE Students Explore Artificial Intelligence

Workshops presented by HumanSkills.AI, MATC and Employ Milwaukee

Mark Feldmann, feldmam1@matc.edu

July 02, 2024

Camp RISE AI

MILWAUKEE – Nearly 300 Milwaukee Public School students explored and experienced the future this week at Artificial Intelligence workshops hosted in part by Milwaukee Area Technical College.

HumanSkills.AI, in collaboration with Employ Milwaukee and MATC, and with support from Kohl’s, presented the engaging, interactive workshops at Camp RISE, a free summer enrichment and career exploration program for MPS students aged 10-13 from high-need, traditionally underserved neighborhoods. 

Held at MPS’s North Division High School, the workshops aimed to build AI literacy, to foster healthy, sustainable partnerships with the technology, and to equip Milwaukee’s youth with the skills and knowledge needed to thrive in an increasingly digital world. 

See TV coverage of the workshops

“AI will be one of the most accessible technologies we have ever experienced, but we must ensure everyone has access to quality training,” said MATC President Dr. Vicki J. Martin. “Our efforts focus on helping students build healthy habits and sustainable practices as they collaborate with AI. We cannot afford to allow the digital skills gap to widen. This initiative is about giving everyone the opportunity to flourish in the AI economy. We are proud to facilitate the partnership between our community stakeholders, ensuring a brighter future for all.

“The ultimate goal of this exciting partnership is to position Milwaukee as a leading region in proactively managing the impact of AI, addressing the digital skills gap and ensuring our youth are prepared for the future,” Dr. Martin added. “By providing early exposure to AI technology, we aim to level the playing field and enable young people to flourish in the AI economy.”

About Camp RISE: Camp RISE 2024 is run by partners Employ Milwaukee, City of Milwaukee, Milwaukee Public Schools and Milwaukee Recreation. Employ Milwaukee is the local workforce development board serving Milwaukee County with a mission to build a strong workforce development system by planning, coordinating, collaborating and monitoring workforce initiatives with businesses, partners and community stakeholders to ensure a skilled and productive workforce for the 21st century.

About MATC: As Wisconsin’s largest technical college and one of the most diverse two-year institutions in the Midwest, Milwaukee Area Technical College is a key driver of southeastern Wisconsin’s economy and has provided innovative education in the region since 1912. More than 30,000 students per year attend the college’s four campuses and community-based sites or learn online. MATC offers affordable and accessible education and training opportunities that empower and transform lives in the community. The college offers more than 180 academic programs — many that prepare students for jobs immediately upon completion and others that provide transfer options leading to bachelor’s degrees with more than 40 four-year colleges and universities. Overwhelmingly, MATC graduates build careers and businesses in southeastern Wisconsin. The college is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission.