Skill-A-Thon offers free AI training

MOSES LAKE — The North Central Washington Tech Alliance is offering free courses to help locals put artificial intelligence to work for them, and offering some prizes to boot. 

“Everything we do these days is all about AI,” said David Estrada, NCW Tech Alliance STEM Program manager for Moses Lake. “Your cars have AI, people have AI on their wrists in their smart watches, their telephone, computers, everything's AI down the road.” 

The program is called the AI Skill-A-Thon, and it involves watching videos and then taking tests on ChatGPT, Copilot and other AI programs in either English or Spanish. Those who do will come out with some skills that will serve them well in the job market as well as earn a certificate for their LinkedIn account, Estrada said. 

Besides, that, NCW Tech Alliance is offering cash prizes for the students who complete the most courses before Sept. 30. First-, second- and third-place winners will each win $500, or $1,000 if they win as a group, Estrada said. 

There is no charge either for the instruction or to enter the contest. Participants must be 16 years old and have a free LinkedIn account. Then they register through a QR code and begin learning. As a participant earns certificates, they upload those certificates to qualify for the contest. The contest is open to residents of Chelan, Douglas, Grant, Okanogan, Adams, and Ferry counties. 

AI has an infinite variety of uses, Estrada said, from sorting apples in a factory to creating advertising to translating between languages. 

“Every certificate you get will (help) you potentially to get a job down the road,” he said. “That's our main focus.” 

To begin learning, scan the QR code and follow the instructions. More information can be found at www.communityskilling.org or by contacting Estrada at 509-760-3020. 

    To join the AI Skill-A-Thon, scan this code or visit www.communityskilling.org.