QuantHub, a Birmingham-based startup, is joining forces with Innovate Alabama to launch an internship program that will prepare students for careers in data science and artificial intelligence (AI).
The duo will collaborate with the Alabama State Department of Education to introduce approximately 38,000 students to QuantHub’s advanced training software within the next year.
Joshua Jones, CEO of QuantHub, called the new program “vital.”
“QuantHub is dedicated to fostering a workforce proficient in data skills which are increasingly essential across all job sectors. The Alabama Future of AI Internship Program is a cornerstone in this endeavor, providing a vital link between academic learning and industry demands.”
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The 2024 Alabama Future of AI internship program will offer paid 8-week internships to high school juniors and seniors, hosted by Alabama-based employers, designed to provide real-world exposure to a broad range of sectors and the technologies they utilize.
The growing demand for data skills in the workplace will multiply each year, while an advanced comprehension of future-forward technologies — which the program seeks to build for students — will become a lifetime competitive edge.
State Superintendent of Education Dr. Eric Mackey said the program also offers a competitive edge for Alabama itself.
“By integrating QuantHub’s advanced training software into our educational framework, we are not only preparing our students for the future of work but also ensuring that Alabama remains competitive in the rapidly evolving digital economy,” Mackey said. “This initiative is not just about imparting knowledge; it’s about leveling the playing field for our students.”
Innovate Alabama, the pioneering public-private partnership boosting entrepreneurship, technology, and innovation across the state, played an instrumental role in bringing the program from concept to reality.
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“Through our partnership with QuantHub, we are excited to offer Alabama’s youth hands-on experience with AI and data science, fields that are critical for the future of our state’s industries,” said CEO of Innovate Alabama, Cynthia Crutchfield.
“We’re not only investing in the next generation of Alabamians but also sowing the seeds for a more innovative state economy.”
Eligible applicants must be US citizens enrolled in an Alabama high school who will be at least 16 years of age by May 1, 2024. No prior experience is necessary to apply for an internship.
Applications will open December 1, 2023. Prospective interns are encouraged to apply early.
Austen Shipley is a staff writer for Yellowhammer News.
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