Partner Spotlight
Relationships Matter: The Story Behind Columbia AI
Written by Andrew Hermalyn on Sep 8, 2020
Related content: University, Digital Education
Relationships Matter.
2U adopted this value and added it to our list of guiding principles after acquiring GetSmarter in 2017. And, it’s no question why: Relationships drive everything we do at 2U.
Relationships make the difference in every touchpoint we have with university partners. They can mean the difference between signing a new partnership or missing out to the competition. And in this year, maybe like no other point in our lifetimes, we were reminded of the value of relationships, treating each other well, and connecting with one another.
Why am I talking about relationships?
Because that is what our new program with Columbia Engineering is really about. Together, we will deliver the Columbia Artificial Intelligence (AI) Program, a rigorous online executive curriculum designed to advance the next generation of technology leaders.
But beneath the headlines and inside 2U, this partnership is actually the story of why relationships matter, and how meaningful relationships can open doors. Columbia Engineering first partnered with Trilogy in 2018 to deliver a range of technical boot camps in fields including full stack web development, data analytics, cybersecurity, UX/UI, digital marketing, and fintech. Once Trilogy became a 2U brand, we had the opportunity not only to continue delivering outcomes through existing boot camps, but to share ideas on additional offerings 2U could power for the school across the career curriculum continuum.
The result is the Columbia AI program, in an incredibly important field with a highly-esteemed institution, delivered at the right time to meet critical societal needs.
For those who may not know much about Artificial intelligence, AI refers to the simulation of human intelligence in machines that are programmed to think like humans and mimic their actions. Even if you don’t know AI in theory, you know it in practice. Siri, Alexa, and Google Home are all powered by AI. And more and more, businesses in every sector are as well. According to the Washington Journal, AI jobs were the fastest-growing job titles in 2020, and AI specialists have seen a 74% increase in job growth annually in the past five years.
This demand tells us that there is a specialized need for a workforce that understands AI. Businesses need people who have the skills to build, lead, and manage AI teams and projects, to drive AI strategy and adoption across organizations, and even to contribute to policy-making and regulations of AI technologies.
With Columbia Engineering, 2U has an opportunity to meet this need, create and deliver an innovative and cutting-edge program with an Ivy League institution, and play an important role in the future of technology. And it started with a relationship.
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