Initiatives

The Tennessee Board of Regents (TBR) is taking action to foster a culture of innovation and collaboration that positions Tennessee's community and technical colleges as leaders in responsible and effective AI integration.

Faculty & Staff Development

• Over 1,200 faculty and staff have participated in AI professional development across the TBR system.
• Training emphasizes AI literacy, ethical use, academic integrity, and instructional innovation.
• These sessions build capacity and confidence for integrating AI effectively into teaching, learning, and student support.

Tech Talk Tuesdays

• A statewide webinar series that brings together faculty, administrators, and workforce partners to discuss emerging technologies, including AI, data analytics, and automation.
• Facilitates shared learning, highlights institutional innovation, and promotes cross-campus collaboration.

Communities of Practice

• TBR has established AI-focused Communities of Practice to connect faculty and staff across disciplines who are exploring AI applications in education and workforce programs.
• These groups provide structured opportunities for peer exchange, collaborative problem-solving, and development of model practices for classroom and administrative use.

Curriculum & Workforce Alignment

• TBR is embedding AI and digital competencies into academic and technical programs to ensure alignment with industry needs.
• New pathways are being developed in areas such as advanced manufacturing, healthcare, logistics, and information technology.
• Collaborations with TN eCampus and the Tennessee Colleges of Applied Technology (TCATs) expand access to AI-related education and training.

Policy & Guidance Development

• Leading efforts to establish systemwide policy and guidance on the responsible use of AI in instruction, assessment, and operations.
• These policies address ethical use, transparency, and data privacy while supporting instructional innovation and academic integrity.

Resource Development & Collaboration

• Developing online resources and toolkits to support faculty, staff, and students in understanding and using AI responsibly.
• Collaborating with the Tennessee Department of Education (TN DOE) and the University of Tennessee, Knoxville (UTK) to expand AI-related training, research, and shared learning opportunities across educational sectors.

The TNWorks Talent Accelerator is now live, offering a central hub where employers can share their workforce needs, connect with training providers, and begin the enrollment process for grant-supported training opportunities.
 
Supported by a combination of federal and state funding, the TNWorks Accelerator is an initiative designed to expand access to training, create jobs, and increase wages across Tennessee.
 
The launch of the Tennessee Talent program was made possible through a grant from the U.S. Department of Labor and will support growing the state’s workforce in three key industries:

• Nuclear Energy
• AI Infrastructure
• Advanced Manufacturing

Tennessee Talent enables employers to apply for funding through an easy-to-navigate online platform, allowing them to offset the cost of incumbent worker training in these high-demand fields for both new hires and existing employees.
 
“The debut of the TNWorks Talent Accelerator and Tennessee Talent program marks a major step forward for workforce development in Tennessee,” TNWorks Executive Director Brooks Young said. “By aligning employers, education, and resources, we’re creating stronger outcomes for our workforce and economy.”
 
Rural Works is the second program in the TNWorks Talent Accelerator launch. This initiative from the Tennessee Department of Labor and Workforce Development directs state funding to develop workforce pipelines in Tennessee’s 91 rural counties.
 
The Rural Works program's initial focus is to create a pipeline for healthcare occupations, but it will expand into other sectors as it addresses other pain points employers face in rural communities.

Learn more about the TNWorks Talent Accelerator and other Training & Upskilling programs