Alabama A&M University selected as one out of five institutions nationwide to lead Amazon AI program

Alabama A&M University was selected as the regional lead institution for artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML) through the Amazon Web Services-Machine Learning program (AWS).

AAMU was chosen one out of five colleges nationwide. The program allows the university to expand access to Amazon’s industry-leading curriculum.

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Amazon’s artificial intelligence program

Amazon is working on expanding AI and ML education nationwide, starting with Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCU) and Community Colleges.

With Machine Learning University (MLU), Amazon is committed to increasing access and empowering administration and faculty to incorporate AI and ML learning into their instruction. This will allow undergraduate students to engage in research, hands-on training, and peer collaboration.

Institutions chosen for the Amazon Web Services-Machine Learning program include:

• Alabama A&M University
• City Colleges of Chicago
• Delaware State University
• Howard University
• Oklahoma City Community College

“I am especially enthusiastic about co-developing content with HBCUs and community colleges — uniting faculty expertise with industry insight to create learning experiences that are rigorous, relevant, and accessible … Together, they are not simply participating in the AI future — they are defining it.”

_{Dr. Margie Vela, Head of Strategic Initiatives, Machine Learning University, Amazon Web Services}

Through AWS, the institutions will have direct access to opportunities for collaboration with experts and hands-on learning within the network.

How this impacts AAMU faculty and students

Alabama A&M was chosen after hosting a national HBCU gathering on Artificial Intelligence titled Voices of the Valley: MLU Transformation Alliance Meeting in October 2025. This was a one-day event in partnership with Amazon’s MLU.

Now serving as regional lead, AAMU will have access to Amazon’s industry-leading machine learning curriculum and computing resources through Amazon SageMaker Studio Lab, which is the same content used to train Amazon’s engineers.

Faculty are set to receive professional development and lesson planning to support classroom instruction and advancement. This curriculum supports hands-on learning and research and teaching materials to expand AI education.

The program allows students the initiative in establishing direct pathways to high-demand careers. They will be immersed in applied learning experiences with industry applications.

Faculty and students will have opportunities to present their research at annual AWS symposiums and connect with industry leaders.

“Through this collaboration, we are positioned to lead in AI innovation and remain at the forefront of artificial intelligence development by leveraging Amazon’s resources.”

_{Dr. Peter Eley, Professor and Interim Director of Research}, _{Alabama A&M University}

Programs are scheduled to launch in the upcoming school year, beginning in August 2026. Faculty training will begin in the summer of 2026, and students will be eligible to enroll in AWS-MLU courses in the fall.

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