Utah Higher Ed Institutions collaborate with NVIDIA to enhance AI education and workforce development. Through a recent agreement announced today, several Utah-based colleges and universities will gain access to cutting-edge NVIDIA AI resources, training, and certifications.
Salt Lake City, Utah - March 10, 2025
The Governor’s Office of Economic Opportunity, legislative leadership, the Speaker of the House of Representatives, the President of the Senate, the Utah Department of Commerce, the Office of Artificial Intelligence Policy, the Utah System of Higher Education, and several colleges and universities across Utah have signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with NVIDIA, a global leader in artificial intelligence. This partnership aims to strengthen Utah’s workforce training and research in AI and advanced technology.
Participating Institutions
The Utah higher education institutions involved in this agreement include:
The MOU marks a significant step in Utah’s efforts to develop a tech-savvy workforce focused on economic prosperity and innovation. By positioning Utah as a leader in AI innovation and application, the agreement will support job creation and technological advancement across the state.
Public-Private Partnership for AI Training
This collaboration will provide Utah-based universities, community colleges, and adult education programs with access to NVIDIA resources, helping students and professionals build skills in generative AI. As part of the agreement, Utah educators can earn certification through the NVIDIA Deep Learning Institute University Ambassador Program.
The program includes high-quality teaching kits, workshop materials, and access to NVIDIA’s graphics processing unit (GPU)-accelerated cloud-based workstations. Educators will gain resources in accelerated computing and data science, enabling them to enhance classroom instruction and equip students with in-demand skills.
Geoffrey Landward, Commissioner of Higher Education, emphasized the impact of this initiative:
“We are grateful to NVIDIA and our statewide partners for this effort, which gives Utah students and faculty direct access to the latest advancements in AI. Instructors will be able to adapt their teaching with real-world industry insights, and students will work with AI in practical ways, from analyzing data to automating tasks and developing new technology. Beyond the classroom, this partnership will equip Utah graduates with the skills, certifications, and experience needed to excel in high-demand careers in an evolving job market full of opportunities.”
NVIDIA’s Vision for Utah’s AI Workforce
Louis Stewart, Head of Strategic Initiatives for NVIDIA’s Global Developer Ecosystem, shared NVIDIA’s objectives with TechBuzz:
“Utah came to us with the goal of training 10,000 students over three to five years, ensuring a future-ready workforce. Nvidia is just one piece of the puzzle. We're walking alongside the universities and the state government to train the learners regardless of where they come from. They may already have a job and are coming in to learn new skills. As we are industry agnostic, we can work with folks that are already in and around Utah and Silicon Slopes. We're looking at this relationship multi-dimensionally, as to how we can provide impact across the state.”
Stewart highlighted the role of NVIDIA’s Inception program in achieving this goal. A free global startup ecosystem, Inception supports 23,000 startups by providing baseline access to the Deep Learning Institute Curriculum for developing accelerated applications. The program also trains university faculty as certified ambassadors, enabling seamless integration of AI education into existing curricula.
As startups mature, they can engage with NVIDIA’s Venture Capital Alliance (VCA), which connects Inception startups with venture capital firms.
The success of this program depends on collaboration between government, industry, and academia under the MOU framework. NVIDIA is currently implementing a similar initiative with California universities whose goal is to train 100,000 students. NVIDIA anticipates similar success in Utah.
“The reason we engage with states like Utah in this way is that we view them as partners. How does the state want to grow and drive economic development? How can they become an AI innovation hub, and how can we help the economy thrive?” Stewart explained.
NVIDIA’s partnership in Utah extends beyond university students.
“These learners can come from anywhere. They might already have jobs and are looking to gain new skills. We can also work with professionals already in Silicon Slopes and across Utah.”
Collaboration Across Higher Education
Manish Parashar, Chief AI Officer and Director of the Scientific Computing and Imaging (SCI) Institute at the University of Utah, and a key driver and champion of the project, supports the collaboration, emphasizing its long-term impact:
“The NVIDIA partnership will foster a community where Utah residents, leaders, and learners can collaborate and learn from each other. This will have a scalable and lasting impact.”
Parashar highlighted how a skilled workforce benefits businesses:
“The most important factor in a company’s success, beyond ideas and funding, is the workforce they can attract. If we have a well-trained workforce, companies can recruit talent locally, grow, and continue innovating.”
The University of Utah will work with NVIDIA to integrate AI technologies into research and curriculum while collaborating with institutions across the state:
“We want to create innovation labs and sandboxes where researchers can safely experiment with new ideas while minimizing risks.”
Weber State’s Perspective
David Ferro, Dean of the College of Engineering at Weber State University, expressed enthusiasm for the partnership:
“As educators, our goal is to prepare students for rapid changes in technology so they can take full advantage of opportunities in their careers. This collaboration demonstrates that Utah is forward-thinking and proactive in embracing AI.”
Ferro also noted that Utah’s engineering colleges have a strong history of collaboration:
“The deans of engineering colleges in the state meet annually to discuss potential collaborations. This initiative aligns well with our tradition of working together.”
Hands-On Learning and Career Opportunities
Beyond classroom education, the state will provide internship and apprenticeship opportunities, allowing students to gain hands-on experience in AI and technology. This real-world exposure will further enhance their skills and position them for career success.
NVIDIA’s resources will provide a structured roadmap for AI education, including certification opportunities. Ferro emphasized the need to adapt curriculum to evolving AI demands:
“There are skills and techniques we need to teach that haven’t traditionally been part of computer science programs. Adapting to AI-driven changes is essential for our students’ future success.”
Expanding AI Accessibility Across Utah
Beyond this MOU, NVIDIA is leading multiple initiatives in Utah to expand AI accessibility, including collaborations in biotechnology, life sciences, advanced manufacturing, media, and entertainment. By integrating AI into these industries, Utah professionals will gain cutting-edge tools to enhance productivity, drive innovation, and maintain a competitive edge.
Greg Estes, Vice President of Corporate Marketing and Developer Programs at NVIDIA, underscored the significance of this effort:
“With AI revolutionizing industries worldwide, it’s critical to prepare current and future workforces with the right skills and training. Through this AI education initiative with NVIDIA, Utah can foster innovation, improve economic growth, and equip students to tackle today’s most pressing challenges.”
The NVIDIA-State of Utah initiative also aligns with the Salt Lake Chamber of Commerce’s Utah Rising economic development plan whose six signature projects include, under "Business Environment," advancing the U of U’s Responsible AI Initiative.
By leveraging this partnership, the State of Utah is making a significant investment in its future, including positioning itself as a leader in AI innovation and application. By striving to reach the goal of educating 10,000 tech-savvy workers, the State of Utah will ensure that students, educators, and industry professionals have the tools and knowledge needed to thrive in an AI-driven world.
The collaboration begins with eight institutions, mentioned above, with more expected to join. K-12 schools can participate through partnerships with higher education. NVIDIA certification is available to those 18 and older.
“These MOUs are starting points—we’re not trying to be exclusionary,” said Louis Stewart. “If other institutions want to join, we welcome them.”
To learn more about NVIDIA programs as they relate to this project with Utah higher ed institutions, visit the following websites:
NVIDIA Inception program for startups - Inception Program for Startups | NVIDIA
NVIDIA Inception venture capital program - Venture Capital Alliance for Portfolio Companies | NVIDIA
NVIDIA Training - Deep Learning Institute (DLI) Training and Certification | NVIDIA