The pandemic forced much of normal life to move online. Digitization, the conversion of materials to digital format, gave way to digitALization, the transformation of whole processes to online formats. This evolution had been occurring for some time, and Covid-19 accelerated it. It also proved that many processes that were previously only on-ground could be delivered effectively and conveniently online. We saw the effect of digitalization and disruption with music (Spotify), streaming video (Netflix) and shopping (Amazon) prior to the pandemic.

Students looking for opportunities in the field of Artificial Intelligence can get help through a new educational partnership. Bow Valley College and three other post-secondary institutions in Alberta are making careers in Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning accessible and available here in Alberta. The AI Pathways Partnership is a consortium of the four schools in collaboration with Alberta Machine Intelligence Institute and made possible through funding provided by Western Economic Diversification Canada. The partnership helps connect learners to flexible, career-focused education from high school to post-secondary and graduate-level credit and non-credit programs. Programs begin in 2021 and include all the instruction needed for success for employees, employers and industry organizations.