TLDR: The North Dakota State Board of Higher Education has approved the creation of two new artificial intelligence institutes at Valley City State University (VCSU) and North Dakota State University (NDSU). These institutes aim to integrate AI into K-12 education, prepare students for an AI-driven workforce, and foster interdisciplinary AI research and industry collaboration across the state.
The North Dakota State Board of Higher Education has taken a significant step forward in advancing artificial intelligence initiatives by authorizing the establishment of two dedicated AI institutes at Valley City State University (VCSU) and North Dakota State University (NDSU). These new centers, approved on September 25, 2025, are designed to bolster AI education, workforce development, and research across the state.
VCSU AI Institute for Teaching and Learning
VCSU’s new institute will primarily focus on empowering K-12 educators with the necessary skills to responsibly and effectively integrate AI into their classrooms. It also aims to prepare university graduates for the demands of an increasingly AI-driven job market. The institute will function as a statewide collaborative effort, spearheaded by VCSU, offering professional development programs for K-12 teachers and administrators.
According to a news release, the VCSU institute has outlined six key priorities: acquiring software for developing generative AI tools, including large language models; establishing clear standards for the ethical use of these technologies; providing stipends, scholarships, and awards to engage educators and students in training opportunities and AI coursework; offering online courses, summer workshops, and faculty training; fostering personalized learning experiences through AI; and preparing graduates for AI-enabled careers.
Alan LaFave, President of VCSU, emphasized the urgency and collaborative spirit of the initiative, stating, “AI is evolving so quickly and by working together we will help North Dakota teachers adopt and expand new practices more quickly.” The initial two years of the program will be funded by a $1 million grant from the Workforce Education Innovation Fund (WEIF), established by the North Dakota legislature in 2023. Long-term sustainability is projected to come from additional grants and service fees.
NDSU Institute for AI in Learning and Workforce Development
Parallel to VCSU’s efforts, NDSU’s institute is tasked with expanding AI literacy, workforce training, and interdisciplinary research throughout the university and the wider state. A core objective is to integrate AI literacy into all academic majors, aiming for at least 60 percent of degree programs to incorporate AI by the third year of its operation. The institute also plans to train a minimum of 50 educators annually and engage with K-12 schools by offering dual credit courses in AI.
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Beyond education, NDSU’s institute will drive AI research, with a particular emphasis on critical sectors such as agriculture, engineering, health, education, and business. A distinguishing feature of the NDSU institute is its commitment to industry engagement, planning to offer employer-sponsored boot camps and facilitate company involvement in AI labs and training. This institute will be launched with one-time legislative funds, with future support anticipated through philanthropic contributions, as detailed in documents submitted to the state board.
