Digital-Skills for Chicagoland

Upskill for the Future: Free AI & Tech Courses for Chicagoland

Your future in tech starts here. We're launching a new initiative to provide free, accessible training in critical digital skills—including AI, cybersecurity, and cloud computing—for everyone in our Chicagoland community.

Why this training is needed now

The digital world is evolving at an incredible pace, creating both new opportunities and challenges. In the Chicagoland area and across the country, a significant digital skills gap is widening, limiting economic potential for many. At the same time, online threats and misinformation are on the rise, impacting our safety and security.

This program is our answer to these challenges. We are building a community-powered solution to help our neighbors not just adapt to the future, but actively shape it.

What we offer

In collaboration with our community partners and leveraging world-class resources like the Google Cloud Career Launchpad, we will offer a tiered series of workshops designed for all ages and skill levels. All courses are completely free and led by trained community volunteers.

Courses will cover high-demand topics, including:

AI Fundamentals: Understand what AI is, how it works, and how to use tools like generative AI responsibly.
Essential Cybersecurity: Learn to protect yourself and your family from online scams, strengthen passwords, and navigate the digital world safely.
Cloud Skills: Get hands-on experience with cloud technology, preparing you for entry-level roles in data analytics, cloud engineering, and more.

Our learning tracks

For Students (Middle & High School):

Digital citizenship and online safety
Ethical AI and fighting misinformation
Introductory tech skills for future careers

For Adults & Parents:

Upskilling with AI for career advancement
Protecting family data and online privacy
Navigating the gig economy with new tech skills

For Seniors:

Identifying and avoiding online scams
Securely using mobile devices and apps
Safely interacting with smart technology

How to get involved

This initiative is for and by our community. Here's how you can join us:

For Participants:

We are currently recruiting for our initial pilot program! If you are interested in attending one of our free pilot workshops, please fill out our interest form.

For Volunteers:

Are you passionate about technology and empowering others? We are looking for volunteers to train as workshop facilitators. We provide all the curriculum and support you need to succeed.

Our commitment

By joining forces with community leaders, local agencies, and dedicated volunteers, we are committed to building a stronger, digitally resilient Chicagoland. We believe that by working together, we can ensure that every member of our community has the skills and confidence to succeed in the digital age.

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