Last week, Howard University welcomed over 500 students from the Washington, D.C., Maryland, and Virginia area to learn about preparatory pathways to robotics and artificial intelligence (AI) innovation.

During the daylong event, students from Banneker High School, McKinley Tech, Theodore Roosevelt High School, and Thomas Jefferson High School engaged with cutting-edge robotics and AI technologies such as drones, VEX Robotics, Amazon Astro home monitoring robots, and Howard University’s “Mecca Bots” autonomous robots, giving them much-needed hands-on experience with AI-enabled devices, while learning from robotics experts.

The high school students also attended presentations on drones from the Howard University Robotics Organization and on Amazon Astro from Amazon robotics professionals. In addition, students participated in a Q&A session with Howard University students, covering a variety of topics ranging from STEM-focused questions to career and college advice.

The event brought together a wide range of collegiate robotics faculty from Howard University, the Virginia Tech Innovation Campus, George Mason University, and the University of Michigan, allowing students to learn from and engage with experts in the field.

The importance of events like this continues to grow as AI and robotics reshape industries worldwide. According to the World Economic Forum, AI is projected to contribute $15.7 trillion to the global economy by 2030, with automation expected to create millions of new jobs while also transforming existing ones. The robotics industry, valued at over $45 billion in 2023, is projected to expand rapidly as companies integrate automation into fields ranging from healthcare and logistics, to manufacturing and national security. By exposing students to these technologies early, universities like Howard are preparing them for careers in one of the fastest growing and most influential sectors of the modern economy.

Howard University Associate Professor Todd Shurn, Ph.D., said, “This event was for students in the DMV to help them recognize that they could come to Howard and prepare themselves to innovate in robotics and AI. That’s the takeaway from this event — no matter what it is you want to do in robotics and AI, it can start right here at Howard University.”

Talitha Washington, Ph.D., D.Sc., Executive Director of the Center for Applied Data Science & Analytics, Sean McCleese Endowed Chair in Computer Science, Race and Social Justice, and Professor in the Department of Mathematics at Howard University, spoke about the importance of bringing high school and college students together. “As the younger generation grows up and becomes professionals, they’re going to be either developing robotic technology or interacting with it,” said Washington. “So, it’s great to have this opportunity to position students at the forefront of this technology, equipping them with the tools and knowledge to advance it.”

Matthew Rhone, a senior at Howard University, said, “I think it’s always great that we’re getting ourselves out in the community. Bringing them here shows them a little of what their future could be, and I’m excited to see what they do with the groundwork we’ve laid for them today.”

Dr. Chad Jenkins, a professor of robotics at the University of Michigan, spoke about the importance of collaboration between universities.“ With the rise of AI and robotics, students need access to these topics, but the expertise for it is limited to a certain number of places. So how do we grow that out? It’s through faculty partnerships,” he said. “I can bring my expertise, my colleagues at Howard can bring their expertise, and it’s a win-win for all of us. The biggest benefit I see is that students who take these classes at Howard come to Michigan to do research, then return and become faculty right back here at Howard, helping to grow the environment for the innovations of the future.”