Gather partners
Industry teams identify the AI skills students and communities need now.
Build With AI
Use AI to solve a problem in your NC community.
Kitty Hawk, 1903. Historic first-flight photograph.
Why
Just-in-time education for a fast-moving field.
AI changes too quickly for traditional curriculum timelines. NC Leads AI brings industry partners and educators together close to launch, so students practice skills that are current, practical, and ready to use.
Co-create modules
Technical experts and educators refine the lessons in a focused late-July sprint.
Supplement DPI
The modules support North Carolina's DPI-released AI curriculum for fall classrooms.
Build locally
Students apply the skills to community impact projects and regional showcases.
The result is a practical curriculum layer that stays relevant without asking schools to wait years for an updated textbook.
Skill modules
What should students build?
There are plenty of opinions about what students should make with AI. These modules are driven by industry partners and educators, not created in a vacuum. A focused partner meeting each August and December keeps the modules current, so teachers are teaching the right AI skills for real work and real community needs.
Voice Prompting
@ Chimney Rock
Use voice-first prompts to explain ideas and guide useful AI responses.
Creative Partner
@ Kitty Hawk
Brainstorm, compare options, and shape stronger project ideas.
Vibe Coding
@ Biltmore Estate
Turn a rough concept into a simple working prototype.
Info to Presentation
@ Merchant's Millpond
Convert research and notes into a clear project pitch.
Content Creation
@ Linville Gorge
Create scripts, visuals, explainers, and campaign materials.
Voice Agent
@ Pilot Mountain
Design a simple helper that can answer questions or guide users.
Project Portfolio
@ Cape Hatteras
Package your prototype, pitch, process, and reflection.
AI Research
@ Research Triangle
Find, compare, and summarize information for your project.
Community Pitch
@ Regional Showcase
Explain the problem, solution, prototype, and local impact.
After completing the modules, students use these skills to build their own AI-powered solution.
Process
Learn the tools. Build the project. Submit your idea.
Students complete the skill modules, choose a real problem in their NC community, and use AI to prototype a solution they can share.
Complete the modules
Practice prompting, coding, content, presentations, voice tools, and portfolio building.
Choose a local problem
Look at your school, town, region, or local business community and identify something worth improving.
Prototype with AI
Use the module skills to build a practical solution, pitch, or working demo.
Submit your project
Share what you built, the problem it solves, and how it could help your community.
Regional hubs
Six regions. Local problems. Local possibility.
Partners
Connected to real AI work.
Industry and institutional partners help keep the curriculum practical, current, and aligned with the way AI is being used now.
Lenovo
Fidelity
Google
Element451
Walmart
Duke University
Campbell University
Showcases and prizes
$45,000 in statewide student prizes.
Six regional showcases bring together middle school, high school, and higher ed finalists to pitch their AI community impact projects.
$7,500
Prize purse per regional site
Ready?
Your idea could help move North Carolina forward.
Bring your curiosity, choose a local challenge, and use AI to build something that matters.
I'm Ready to Build