Tampa Bay has become a magnet for tech start-ups - an industry growing more quickly than the talent pool, especially in artificial intelligence (AI).
In response to this demand, the University of South Florida has launched a graduate certificate program in AI for working professionals in the technology sector interested in enhancing their skillset.
"As Tampa keeps growing in economic development and becoming a bigger technology hub, USF had the foresight to put together this program to upscale the current workforce, not just here, but everywhere," said Distinguished University Professor Sudeep Sarkar, chair of the Department of Computer Science and Engineering.
Participants in the Artificial Intelligence Graduate Certificate are required to take four online courses that provide detailed information about crucial domains in AI, how to modify AI tools and strengthen programs, such as ChatGPT. The certificate also serves as a pathway for those interested in enrolling in the USF Master of Science in Data Intelligence, which launches in the fall.
According to Dice, Tampa is among the fastest-growing U.S. tech hubs for IT talent with a 30-percent increase in jobs over the last five years and an average salary of $120,900. The Tampa Bay Economic Development Council reports the number of businesses in the IT industry in the region has increased 27 percent during the past five years, growing from 13,400 businesses to nearly 17,000. It's projected the industry will continue to grow in Tampa with more than 3,700 jobs added by 2027.
"Artificial Intelligence is an emerging field that will have a transformational impact on business," said Craig J. Richard, president and CEO of the Tampa Bay Economic Development Council. "It's wonderful that USF is being proactive in offering this additional training to our local tech professionals. This certificate program will strengthen our community's competitiveness as we build our tech talent pipeline further to meet the demand for these new specialized roles."
