BALTIMORE — Building on its ongoing efforts to enrich the campus learning environment through the integration of artificial intelligence (AI), Morgan State University is collaborating with the Amazon-Machine Learning University (MLU) Educators Consortium and Amazon-MLU Transformation Alliance to enhance its curricula and research by incorporating AI and machine learning (ML) concepts and tools.
Morgan is one of several institutions participating in this effort, which aims to develop inclusive AI education pathways within Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs), ultimately preparing students for fast-growing and desirable AI/ML careers. Participating Morgan faculty will engage in a series of monthly activities, including training boot camps, AI/ML pedagogy labs, tech talks, and roundtable discussions aimed at advancing knowledge in these fields.
“This mutually beneficial collaboration further advances our commitment to remaining at the forefront of educational innovation and progresses our AI institutional aspirations,” stated Hongtao Yu, Ph.D., provost and senior vice president of Academic Affairs at Morgan State University. “As we embrace the benefits of integrating AI into our classrooms, we empower our students and faculty with the skills and knowledge necessary to adapt and excel in a rapidly evolving modern society.”
The Amazon MLU Transformation Alliance pairs educators and administrators with Amazon leadership to help build institutional capacity for AI/ML education and research. Through comprehensive technical boot camps, virtual training sessions, and year-round professional development opportunities, educators will gain expertise in AI and ML concepts powered by AWS cloud technology. For the 2025-26 cohort, Morgan has 10 faculty members participating, representing at least four schools.
Launched in February 2025, the program kicked off with the inaugural MLU-HBCU AI/ML Teaching and Research Symposium, marking the start of ongoing training and support activities. Participating institutions have access to open-source content that seamlessly integrates with existing curricula, enabling the development of new courses and programs.
In this inaugural year, the program will assist 200 faculty members and 25 executive administrators serving over 250,000 students through nine-month cohorts focused on building AI/ML education capabilities. Through comprehensive technical boot camps, virtual training sessions, and year-round professional development opportunities, educators will gain expertise in cutting-edge AI/ML concepts powered by AWS cloud technology.
“The Machine Learning University (MLU) Educators Consortium and Transformation Alliance are transformative programs that underscore the vital role of inclusion in driving innovation within artificial intelligence and machine learning. By uniting educators and researchers from Morgan State University with industry leaders, these cohorts foster invaluable cross-pollination of ideas and accelerated advancement in critical fields. The open dialogue and shared learnings will undoubtedly power groundbreaking new developments that improve lives and society," said Daryl Hammett, HBCU Alumnus and Director of Delivery & AI Platforms for Amazon Web Services. "Amazon's MLU team deserves praise for championing this important initiative that celebrates the inextricable link between inclusion and progress."
Currently, Amazon collaborates with 29 HBCUs to democratize access to industry-aligned artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML) curricula while fostering diverse tech talent.