Amazon is looking to further support Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCU) students for their future careers.

Amazon Web Services (AWS) Machine Learning University launched a free program to help teach database, artificial intelligence (AI), and machine learning (ML) concepts to HBCUs, according to the retail giant’s blog post.

Additionally, instructors at community colleges and Minority Serving Institutions (MSIs) are also prioritized to be selected to learn about advanced technology.

Described as an “educator enablement bootcamp,” the program was created to help in bridging the gap of opportunity for students who are underserved and underrepresented in tech.

The blog post notes that AWS Machine Learning University will use a curriculum that’s based on the courses that the company uses to train its own developers and data scientists.

“Our goal in launching this program is to make database, AI, and ML education widely accessible to all community colleges and universities across the U.S.—not just elite institutions,” said Swami Sivasubramanian, vice president of Databases, Analytics, and Machine Learning at AWS, according to the blog post. “We need the best minds from all backgrounds entering these fields. The educator enablement program is designed to make it easier for any educational institution to start teaching advanced technologies by removing the barriers of cost and educator training.”

While the program started in January 2023, the curriculum materials are set to be available in spring.

What’s more, Mike Miller, General Manager of AWS AI Devices, Amazon told Forbes that AWS Machine Learning University “will provide $1,200 and continuing education credits to 330 participants who complete one of the six boot camps being offered over the course of 2023.”

“AI careers are going to take many shapes, and where you go to school shouldn’t really affect your career opportunity. We want community colleges, HBCUs, and MSIs to create more opportunities to learn AI,” Miller also told the outlet.



For college students who are unable to be a part of the program, Amazon aims to make the curriculum materials accessible for free through Github, YouTube, and AWS Academy. 

To learn more about AWS Machine Learning University’s free program, click here.