The AI Lab will benefit students in technology majors as well as those in any major who will be able to experiment with AI and how it can be used in their chosen careers.
Hocking College has formed a partnership with AI Owl and NWN, an AI-powered technology solutions provider, in order to establish an AI Lab on campus to be utilized by students of all majors.
According to an article on Hocking College’s website, Dr. Betty Young, the college’s president, was quoted as saying, “This lab is not just about computers and software. It’s about helping our students and our community explore what's possible and take ownership of their future. We want Hocking College to be a place where innovation meets opportunity, and this partnership makes that possible.”
Dr. Young and Sam Taylor, the college’s Director of Grant Development and Management, first had the idea for the partnership in January 2025. The two wanted to find a way that the school could utilize artificial intelligence for education and workforce development.
The AI Lab will house the Hocking AI Academy, which is an initiative that involves students partaking in Intel’s AI for Workforce courses. Additionally, students in programs like cybersecurity will be able to utilize the labs for study and coursework, and students in any other major can use the lab for exploration of utilization of AI in their own future careers. The lab will be accessible to anyone, even those without coding experience.
Trace Johnson, the co-founder and president of AI Owl, said, “We’ve all spent a lot of time talking about AI. This lab allows people to put AI into action. This lab gives people the tools they need to turn learning into real-world skills. AI is everywhere, whether you're managing a network or running a bakery. Understanding how to use these tools responsibly and effectively is the kind of learning that will benefit everyone.”
With the implementation of the AI Lab, the college is looking into holding community workshops that will allow the general population to be able to explore the lab to begin thinking about how small businesses and entrepreneurs can utilize artificial intelligence. Hocking College and AI Owl are also looking into creating credit-bearing courses that will give students the ability to train in the skills local employers are looking for.
Andrew Gilman, the CMO of NWN, said of the partnership, “NWN is thrilled to partner with Hocking, Intel, and AI Owl to launch this first cutting-edge AI lab in Ohio. This is a perfect example of how collaboration can help drive technological progress and economic development in the region. By providing students and community members with advanced AI tools and offerings, we're not just preparing them for the future—we're creating new opportunities right now.”
For more information about Hocking College, visit the school’s website.