SJI’s Utilities Kick Off 2022 Mark Cuban Foundation Artificial Intelligence Bootcamp
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South Jersey Industries News
FOLSOM, NJ, October, 21 2022 – SJI (NYSE:SJI) is proud to announce that its subsidiaries, South Jersey Gas and Elizabethtown Gas, will partner with the Mark Cuban Foundation and the New Jersey Department of Community Affairs to train the state’s next generation of technology leaders. From October 22 to November 12, the two utilities will host introductory Artificial Intelligence (AI) Bootcamps for local high school students at their Atlantic City and Union headquarters.
The Mark Cuban Foundation AI Bootcamp is a nationwide initiative and curriculum offered to high school students interested in AI and other emerging technologies. South Jersey Gas, now in its second consecutive year as a host company, will deliver this year’s program to 25 high school students from the Atlantic City area. In addition, Elizabethtown Gas will deliver the AI Bootcamp to 25 Union-based high school students, marking the utility’s first year participating in the program.
“The New Jersey Department of Community Affairs is pleased to see South Jersey Industries take the lead in supporting this year’s Mark Cuban Foundation Artificial Intelligence Bootcamp for Atlantic City and Union Township youth,” said Lt. Governor Sheila Oliver, who also serves as Commissioner of the New Jersey Department of Community Affairs (DCA). “DCA was instrumental in bringing the AI Bootcamp to Atlantic City last year and is incredibly thankful that South Jersey Industries has helped to bring it back for a second year. Now even more students will be positively impacted by this innovative educational program.”
Over the course of four half-day sessions, students learn what AI is and is not, where they already interact with AI in their lives and the ethical implications of AI systems. The sessions will include a guest speaker and interactive lesson on topics such as machine learning, chatbots and computer vision. Each session will also include a lab exercise supported by South Jersey Gas and Elizabethtown Gas’ trained mentors.
“At SJI, we’re constantly looking for opportunities that allow us to make a meaningful impact on the communities we serve,” said Leonard Brinson Jr., senior vice president and chief information officer, SJI. “The Mark Cuban Artificial Intelligence Bootcamp enables SJI to contribute to the personal and professional growth of the young adults in our service territories.”
SJI and its utilities’ continued participation in the Mark Cuban Foundation AI Bootcamp is a testament to the organization’s commitment to providing early-career and educational opportunities to local youth. In recognition of New Jersey’s sixth annual Careers in Utilities Week, South Jersey Gas and Atlantic City Electric recently held a celebratory event and career fair at the Gloucester County Institute of Technology. In addition, SJI partners with the Atlantic County Institute of Technology and Junior Achievement of New Jersey to provide internships and networking opportunities to high school students throughout southern New Jersey. For college students and early-career professionals, SJI offers the IGNITE internship program and the two-year rotational POWER Leadership Development Program.
SJI invites its media partners to learn more about the AI Bootcamp and its positive outcomes for the region’s youth on the program’s final day, November 12, 2022, from 1-6pm. For more information about the South Jersey Gas program, click here. For Elizabethtown Gas, click here.
For more information about SJI and its subsidiaries, please visit sjindustries.com.