A new lab devoted to artificial intelligence (AI) will open at Isothermal Community College (ICC) this school year, following a grant of more than $250,000 from Meta.

The Extended Reality and Artificial Intelligence Lab (XRAIL) will provide students with a technological “maker space,” according to a press release from the college, for both curriculum and continuing education programs. The lab will also provide space for community groups, K-12 partners, and local businesses and entrepreneurs.

“The XRAIL program represents a cornerstone in our strategy to not only elevate the technological proficiency within our community but also to catalyze a new era of innovation and economic growth,” said ICC Vice President for Academic and Student Affairs Dr. Greg Thomas. “Through this initiative, we are setting the stage for transformative opportunities that will resonate across generations.”

The lab will help train students in fields such as extended reality, AI, cybersecurity, and coding.

College leadership says the lab will help establish a strong technology workforce in Rutherford and Polk counties, with hopes of attracting opportunities for jobs in the tech industry to the area. 

“We are proud to continue investing in the long-term vitality of Rutherford County,” said Kelley McCall, community development regional manager at Meta. “This grant will be a catalyst for workforce development, empowering individuals with skills that are increasingly in demand in the tech industry.”

Meta has long made investments in the community, according to the press release, including establishing the Forest City Data Center in 2010, providing ICC with funding, and investing in partnerships with local schools and businesses.

Meta directed the grant to the Isothermal Community College Foundation. The grant will fund hardware and software for the XRAIL.

“Our Foundation has a longstanding relationship with Meta and we are so glad to work with them on this kind of investment in our community that will go a very long way in supporting our students,” said Dr. Thad Harrill, Isothermal’s chief development officer.

Many other schools and colleges in North Carolina are working to incorporate AI into their curriculum in order to teach students how to use the technology responsibly and effectively, while also training them for future workforce demands.

At East Chapel Hill High School, for example, Exception Children (EC) resource teacher Julian Dean uses AI to help serve students with learning differences by using the technology to help write more personalized Individual Education Plan (IEP) documents.

Some colleges, like Blue Ridge Community College, allow students to receive certifications, diplomas, or degrees in AI. And in January, the North Carolina Department of Public Instruction (DPI) released a guidebook for the use of generative AI in public schools.

At ICC, Thomas said the new AI lab will help promote tech-based entrepreneurship and cross-sector collaboration.

“XRAIL’s comprehensive approach will ensure the region remains adaptable and economically vibrant, ready for future technological shifts,” Thomas said.