TAMPA, Fla. (June 5, 2023) – The University of South Florida is now offering a graduate certificate program in artificial intelligence (AI) for working professionals in the technology sector interested in enhancing their skillset.
This is in response to a demand, as Tampa Bay has become a magnet for tech start-ups – an industry growing more quickly than the talent pool, especially in AI.
“As Tampa keeps growing in economic development and becoming a bigger technology hub, USF had the foresight to put together this program to upscale the current workforce, not just here, but everywhere,” said Distinguished University Professor Sudeep Sarkar, chair of the Department of Computer Science and Engineering.
Participants in the Artificial Intelligence Graduate Certificate are required to take four online courses that provide detailed information about crucial domains in AI, how to modify AI tools and strengthen programs, such as ChatGPT. The certificate also serves as a pathway for those interested in enrolling in the USF Master of Science in Data Intelligence, which launches in the fall.
According to Dice, Tampa is among the fastest-growing U.S. tech hubs for IT talent with a 30-percent increase in jobs over the last five years and an average salary of $120,900. The Tampa Bay Economic Development Council reports the number of businesses in the IT industry in the region has increased 27 percent during the past five years, growing from 13,400 businesses to nearly 17,000. It’s projected the industry will continue to grow in Tampa with more than 3,700 jobs added by 2027.
“Artificial Intelligence is an emerging field that will have a transformational impact on business,” said Craig J. Richard, president and CEO of the Tampa Bay Economic Development Council. “It’s wonderful that USF is being proactive in offering this additional training to our local tech professionals. This certificate program will strengthen our community’s competitiveness as we build our tech talent pipeline further to meet the demand for these new specialized roles.”
The Artificial Intelligence Graduate Certificate launches in the fall. An informational session is scheduled for June 9. The deadline to register for the course is Aug. 1.
To view this story on the USF Newsroom website, click here.
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About the University of South Florida
The University of South Florida, a high-impact research university dedicated to student success and committed to community engagement, generates an annual economic impact of more than $6 billion. With campuses in Tampa, St. Petersburg and Sarasota-Manatee, USF serves approximately 50,000 students who represent nearly 150 different countries. For four consecutive years, U.S. News & World Report has ranked USF as one of the nation’s top 50 public universities, including USF’s highest ranking ever in 2023 (No. 42). In 2023, USF became the first public university in Florida in nearly 40 years to be invited to join the Association of American Universities, a prestigious group of the leading universities in the United States and Canada. Through hundreds of millions of dollars in research activity each year and as one of top universities in the world for securing new patents, USF is a leader in solving global problems and improving lives. USF is a member of the American Athletic Conference. Learn more at www.usf.edu.