News Summary
Beginning in winter 2026, Grand Rapids Community College will offer a new course centered on artificial intelligence (AI), funded by a $438,685 grant from the National Science Foundation. The course will provide students with practical experience by collaborating with local businesses on relevant AI projects. Notable endorsements from over 20 local companies support this initiative, which aims to prepare students for careers in the data-driven workforce by applying AI to real business challenges.
Grand Rapids – Starting winter 2026, Grand Rapids Community College (GRCC) will introduce a new course focusing on artificial intelligence (AI), aimed at equipping students with hands-on experience by solving real-world business challenges. This initiative is bolstered by a three-year grant of $438,685 from the National Science Foundation (NSF), part of a broader effort to prepare students for the increasingly data-driven job market.
The upcoming course will be available to students enrolled in GRCC’s associate of applied sciences program as well as those pursuing an AI certificate. Through this course, students will collaborate with partnering local businesses on AI projects that leverage actual business data. Examples of proposed projects include creating chatbots, automating social media posts, and summarizing customer feedback data.
Support from the community is evident as GRCC’s grant application received endorsements from 20 local businesses such as Gentex, TwistThink, and the Grand Rapids Public Museum. This collaboration allows students to engage in practical projects that fulfill real business needs, thereby enhancing their readiness for the workforce.
According to the dean of GRCC’s School of Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics, the course is designed to highlight the transformative capabilities of AI in business data processing. By working on genuine projects, students will gain valuable experience that makes them more competitive in the job market.
The capstone course will span seven weeks, serving as a culminating experience for students’ AI education at GRCC. Although it is distinct from an internship, the course will guide students through the entire process of developing a live AI model, from initial problem scoping to the deployment of solutions. GRCC anticipates providing this invaluable learning experience to 60 students over the period of the grant.
Jonnathan Resendiz, assistant professor and faculty director of GRCC’s AI Incubator, noted the importance of partnerships with local businesses in shaping a curriculum that meets the current workforce demands. These collaborations are integral not only for students’ learning but also for participating companies to benefit from tailored AI applications.
The NSF grant is part of a selective program from the Foundation, with GRCC being one of only 45 recipients awarded funding to support similar educational initiatives. This highlights the competitive nature of the grant process, as only institutions demonstrating a strong potential for impactful educational programs were chosen.
As the demand for skilled AI professionals continues to grow, GRCC’s new AI course is positioned to meet both educational and industry needs. By focusing on real-world applications and fostering partnerships with local businesses, the program aims to bridge the gap between academic knowledge and practical execution, preparing students to thrive in an AI-driven economy.
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- MLive: GRCC Students to Use AI to Help Businesses
- Wikipedia: Artificial Intelligence
- Crain’s Grand Rapids: Laying the Groundwork for AI Success
- Google Search: AI success in business
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- Google Scholar: Artificial Intelligence in Business
- Business Wire: Gov. Whitmer Celebrates Woodchucks AI-Powered Biomass Facility
- Encyclopedia Britannica: AI Biomass Energy
- Fox17 Online: Bringing AI to Life – Woodchuck Transforms Waste Management
- Google News: Waste Management AI
Author: STAFF HERE GRANDRAPIDS WRITER
GRAND RAPIDS STAFF WRITER The GRAND RAPIDS STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HEREGrandRapids.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Grand Rapids, Kent County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as ArtPrize, Festival of the Arts, and World of Winter. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Grand Rapids Chamber of Commerce and Grand Rapids Community Foundation, plus leading businesses in furniture, healthcare, and technology that power the local economy such as Steelcase, Spectrum Health, and Meijer. As part of the broader HERE network, including HEREDetroitMI.com, HERENorthville.com, HERENovi.com, and HEREPlymouth.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into Michigan's dynamic landscape.
