Posted on Nov 2, 2026 in Main
Photo courtesy: UH.
As artificial intelligence (AI) rapidly transforms the workforce and daily life, the University of Hawaiʻi is making AI education available to everyone with a new, free online course.
Artificial Intelligence for Hawaiʻi is an open-access, self-paced course that provides foundational AI knowledge and practical skills, while addressing responsible and ethical use through a Hawaiʻi lens. No UH affiliation or login is required. The course is part of UH’s broader effort to provide AI education and resources statewide as the technology reshapes education, business, government and the workforce.
Demand for AI skills is surging globally, making broad access to AI education increasingly important. Eighty percent of hiring managers consider AI skills a priority when evaluating candidates, according to CNBC; 60% of employers are already assigning interns projects involving AI tools, according to the National Association of Colleges + Employers.
“AI is transforming the way we work, learn and live — and Hawaiʻi cannot afford to sit on the sidelines,” UH PresidentWendy Hensel said. “UH has both an opportunity and a responsibility to help our state lead through this change. That means making AI education accessible to everyone and giving people the practical skills to use these tools effectively, responsibly and in ways that reflect Hawaiʻi’s values.”
Hosted on the UH OneAI Hub, the course uses instructional videos, Hawaiʻi-based examples and hands-on activities to make AI understandable and useful for people at all levels of experience. The course is designed for anyone who wants to understand and use AI, including UH students and employees, educators, government employees, small business owners, nonprofit staff and other community members.
The course was also informed by UH experts in Hawaiian values, culture, language and ʻike Hawaiʻi. A UH Task Force on Hawaiian Values and Culture examined issues unique to the development and use of AI in Hawaiʻi, including appropriate protocols for how ʻike and ʻōlelo Hawaiʻi resources ought to be used and what kinds of information should — and should not — be contributed to AI systems.
