AEGIS is a new cross-disciplinary micro-credential designed to prepare Connecticut's engineering workforce to design, deploy, and govern agentic AI systems that complete multi-step engineering tasks
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UConn College of Engineering Associate Dean for Research George Bollas has been selected for a new grant to launch an artificial intelligence training program.
Bollas, who is also the director of the Pratt & Whitney Institute for Advanced Systems Engineering, will oversee UConn delivering a cross-disciplinary, industry-inspired AI workflow agent short course that fits into existing engineering degree pathways.
Gov. Ned Lamont announced last month the launch of the third phase of the Connecticut Tech Talent Accelerator (TTA 3.0), a statewide higher education innovation challenge designed to expand AI education and workforce training.
According to the governor's office, the initiative will accelerate the development of AI-skilled talent across Connecticut, strengthening the state's competitiveness in a rapidly evolving digital economy. UConn is one of seven colleges and universities participating.
"Agentic AI has the potential to fundamentally transform how industry conducts engineering research and development, from accelerating design cycles to improving decision-making across complex systems," Bollas says. "Through this program, we are creating a direct pathway for Connecticut's engineers to integrate intelligent agents into real-world R&D environments, driving productivity, innovation, and competitive advantage."
Bollas will launch AI-Enabled Guided Intelligent Systems (AEGIS), a new cross-disciplinary micro-credential designed to prepare Connecticut's engineering workforce to design, deploy, and govern agentic AI systems that complete multi-step engineering tasks. Unlike traditional AI courses focused on coding or model development, AEGIS is built for practicing engineers and advanced students who want to apply AI directly inside real enterprise workflows, without requiring a computer science background.
"AEGIS reflects our commitment to embedding the latest technologies directly into the engineering workforce pipeline," says UConn Engineering Dean JC Zhao. "By integrating applied AI training into existing degree and professional pathways, we are strengthening Connecticut's competitiveness while preparing our students and industry partners to lead in an AI-driven economy."
The program will be codeveloped with Connecticut's major engineering employers, such as Pratt & Whitney and AWS.
AEGIS will launch its pilot cohort in Summer 2026, serving engineers across multiple disciplines including chemical, biomolecular, materials science, mechanical, electrical, and civil engineering.
The course will be offered through the Center for Advanced Engineering Education (CAEE), which offers classes, certificates, and degrees designed for working professionals.
"Our center is designed to meet working professionals where they are, and AEGIS is a powerful example of that mission in action," says CAEE Director Nora Sutton. "This program provides accessible, industry-aligned AI training that engineers can immediately apply in their organizations, without needing a computer science background."
During the course, students will learn to:
- Explain what agentic AI is and how it differs from conventional generative
AI tools.
- Analyze an engineering workflow and identify components suitable for
agent-based automation.
- Write effective system prompts and instructions that control agent behavior
for engineering tasks.
- Evaluate the data readiness of an engineering environment for agent
integration.
- Build, test, and iterate on a no-code AI agent connected to engineering
documents.
- Describe multi-agent orchestration patterns and when
they are appropriate.
- Identify security risks specific to agentic systems and apply practical
safeguards.
- Navigate regulatory and compliance requirements for AI use in their
engineering discipline.
- Design a complete agent deployment blueprint for a real workplace
process.
- Communicate the value and risks of agentic AI to colleagues and
leadership.
According to the Governor, since August 2024, nearly 11,000 job postings have required AI skills.
"AI is reshaping many sectors of our economy, and Connecticut is ensuring our workers and students are prepared to lead in this new era," Lamont says in the release. "By investing in AI education and workforce training through the Tech Talent Accelerator, we are strengthening our talent pipeline, supporting Connecticut businesses, and creating opportunities for everyone to secure high-quality, good-paying jobs."
The grant was made through the Business-Higher Education Forum and the New England Board of Higher Education.
