AI4VA

Student-led AI consulting. Real business impacts. This summer, OEDI is proud to partner with Riipen, Grow With Google, and the Charlottesville Regional Chamber of Commerce to launch AI4VA. This innovative new program pairs Virginia small businesses, non-profits, and local public sector agencies with skilled UVA student teams who will dedicate 100+ hours to consulting on AI strategy and implementation.

Through six-week pro-bono virtual projects, student teams will work side-by-side with employers to streamline operations, develop new AI-powered strategies, and build AI literacy.

It's a true win-win partnership: Virginia's vibrant small business entrepreneurs paired with UVA's talented students, creating AI-powered solutions that work while providing valuable real-world experience for tomorrow's workforce.

As AI tools become more powerful and widely available, many small businesses and organizations are wondering how to take advantage of these new tools to improve their operations, services, and impact.

Meanwhile, students are increasingly being asked to demonstrate AI competencies as they prepare to enter a competitive workforce.

Building on the success of OEDI's Career Academies, AI4VA offers UVA students the chance to roll up their sleeves and help Virginia small businesses effectively utilize AI while gaining experience in applying AI to real-world problems. For businesses and organizations, AI4VA stands as a unique opportunity to build AI literacy and in-house AI capacity at no cost.

AI4VA combines self-paced online learning with virtual employer projects to provide a seamless, accessible experience for students and employers alike.

Leading up to the six-week project period, participants will be invited to complete AI literacy coursework via Grow with Google's new AI Professional Certificate.

From here, UVA students will collaborate with small- to medium-sized Virginia businesses and organizations on virtual employer projects via the Riipen platform. These projects are fully virtual, asynchronous, and free of charge, meaning that participants can work together to create timelines and deliverables that work for them.

Throughout the process, UVA staff are ready to offer project support and ensure success for all participants.

Applications are open now for both interested employers and students.

Employers are invited to apply until April 8, and students may apply up until April 30. Employers will be matched to student teams from May 1 to May 15. 

Starting on May 20, students and employers have the opportunity to engage in AI upskilling before launching the virtual employer projects. Here's a more detailed view:

• May 20 - June 17: Participants complete asynchronous coursework on Google's brand-new AI Professional Certificate.
• June 17 - July 29: Students work with local employers on virtual employer projects to help build new AI processes and deliverables.
• September 2: Employers, students, and executives from Riipen convene with OEDI for a post-project celebration and retrospective.

Want to learn more about what AI4VA looks like for you? Visit the pages below.

AI4VA is an initiative of the Office of the Vice Provost for Online Education and Digital Innovation at the University of Virginia.