MOLINE, Ill. — Artificial intelligence is reshaping industries, and local colleges are stepping up to prepare students for this powerful technology.
At Black Hawk College’s Quad-Cities campus, Librarian Atticus Garrison compares AI tools to calculators in math class, emphasizing their role in enhancing learning while teaching responsible use.
“When I go into classes, one of the things I’ll teach is how to use AI for a certain class,” Garrison said.
Western Illinois University (WIU) is taking things a step further with its new AI minor launching in fall of 2025. The program, led by Dennis DeVolder, WIU’s director of the School of Computer Science, includes courses on generative AI, machine learning and programming. Devolder believes students equipped with AI knowledge will stand out in their careers.
“Students who are prepared and trained in how to use this technology will have a leg up,” he said. “I can’t imagine any career path that wouldn’t benefit at least to some degree from having this background,” DeVolder said.
VictoryXR, a training platform focused on AI, partners with over 50 schools worldwide to teach students the fundamentals of artificial intelligence. CEO Steve Grubbs stresses how rapidly AI is advancing and its potential to revolutionize industries.
“It’s everywhere now, but it’s only a fraction of what it will be in two years,” Grubbs said. “We all have to be prepared and be changing now to get ready for that moment.”
Educators at both WIU and Black Hawk College agree that AI literacy is critical as it becomes an integral part of daily life and careers. Applications for WIU’s Fall 2025 semester are now open.
For more information, or to apply at WIU visit here.
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