The Hispanic Association of Colleges and Universities (HACU) has announced a partnership with a Spanish firm specializing in generative artificial intelligence. This partnership, based in Washington, D.C., will make its AI solutions available to over 600 Hispanic-serving institutions (HSIs) in the United States.
According to the press release, the Spanish company will provide its generative AI technology to several universities, including UCLA, the University of South Florida, UTEP, and the University of Massachusetts-Boston.
Hispanic-Serving Institutions (HSIs) will use the company’s platform for research, development, and talent development projects focused on generative AI.
This platform enhances the creation of solutions based on language models while fostering collaboration between the academic and business sectors.
If artificial intelligence (AI) consists of data, code, and mathematics, what skills do you need to make effective use of it?
How can you build skills today that will help you lead future advancements, create innovative plans for AI, and implement solutions that improve operations?
Tyrone Taborn, CEO of Career Communications Group and publisher of Hispanic Engineer magazine, emphasizes the importance of asking the right questions before implementing any AI solution.
Good web management—breaking down complex tasks into simple steps—will help your AI assistant deliver better results. An AI expert made this point during a recent NVIDIA webinar, AI for All: Uplevel Your Skills.
As AI evolves rapidly, it’s essential to learn how to utilize AI effectively, recognizing that it’s not a replacement for human intelligence.
NVIDIA experts advise job candidates to recognize that AI specialists require strong skills in data analysis, coding, and mathematics, which take time to develop and refine.
It’s also essential to understand the difference between AI and human intelligence.
While AI is still growing, human thinking has been around for thousands of years.
Experts have noted that not everyone in the world will have the opportunity to shape AI’s development, according to a United Nations estimate.
Remember that AI works within specific models and isn’t trained universally, so it might not always be fair. If the data behind AI is biased, the AI model will likely be biased as well.
Workforce experts advised students to start small and keep things simple before progressing to more complex AI projects.
Drawing analogies to existing industry products can also be helpful. One panelist mentioned his initial tech project involved installing a camera in his garage; this example underscores the value of hands-on experience, even when similar products are commercially available.
Experts also recommended conducting in-depth analyses of conference proceedings, emphasizing that merely attending a conference isn’t enough—you need to gain insights into trends from industry leaders.
Avoiding the fear of missing out is crucial, as it can lead to feelings of anxiety. While you might miss something one week, you can be sure that newer opportunities will arise in the following month.
An AI engineer advised identifying a specific industry early and focusing on developments within that sector. For example, there have been numerous recent launches of AI models in healthcare, including one for cell therapy.
Instead of being overwhelmed by the constant flow of new data, creating an AI ecosystem based on your system for gathering and analyzing data is a good approach.
If you are passionate about robotics, consider an AI field that enables you to build more effectively and efficiently.
For students, one expert recommended joining clubs and professional associations while exploring online courses, publishing achievements, finding mentors, and attending workshops at networking conferences.
A recent graduate emphasized that staying connected to the science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) community, along with engaging in undergraduate research, can keep you engaged and motivated.
It’s essential to be honest about what you know and what you don’t know. Be prepared to demonstrate your critical thinking skills and be ready to ask questions in return. Remember the CEO’s advice? Asking the right questions is essential.
During an interview, consider asking the following question: What is a typical day like for you? What do the project duties entail? What further training does your potential employer offer?
Essentially, you want to understand what you are getting into and what you will learn during your time there.
Understanding the AI model, infrastructure, and its state of evolution is crucial for everyone. For example, what tools are you using for meeting notes, summarization, and predictive analysis?
Job applicants for AI positions should be able to demonstrate how they utilize AI to enhance their capabilities, signaling to employers that they understand the power and value of AI
Key points to take away:
AI consists of data, code, and mathematics. Empower oneself with AI while recognizing it is not a superhero. Join clubs and professional associations, explore online courses, publish achievements, find mentors, and attend workshops. Stay connected to the STEM community and engage in undergraduate research to remain motivated.
Be honest about your knowledge and skills, and be prepared to demonstrate critical thinking. Ask insightful questions during interviews, such as, “What does a typical day look like?” What do the project duties entail? Do you know what further training is available?
Proven skills in data, coding, and mathematics are crucial. Appreciate the differences between AI and human intelligence. Asking the right questions is critical before building or applying AI solutions. Practical web management skills, such as breaking down complex tasks into smaller components, can enhance the effectiveness of AI assistants.
Not everyone (8 billion people) will have opportunities to contribute to AI development. AI is based on specific models and is not universally trained, which can lead to bias if the underlying data is biased.
Start small and keep things simple before tackling complex AI projects. Draw analogies to existing industry products to contextualize learning (e.g., installing a camera).
Conduct in-depth analyses of conference proceedings to gain insights into industry trends. Avoid the fear of missing out to prevent feeling overwhelmed.
Identify a vertical early and focus on developments within that industry (e.g., recent AI model launches in healthcare). Develop an AI ecosystem tailored to your own data collection and analysis methods.
Learn about the AI model, infrastructure, and its state of evolution. Keep in mind the tools used for meeting notes, summarization, and predictive analysis.
Job applicants should show how they utilize AI to enhance their skills, signaling to employers their understanding of AI’s power and value.
Here are 10 tips for practical critical thinking and leveraging your CV:
Know every detail of your curriculum vitae or resume, as this will help you articulate your experiences effectively. Prepare to explain each line of your CV in detail, aiming for more than 100 words to provide a clear context.
Build connections within your industry to enhance your knowledge and access valuable resources.
Recognize that much valuable data isn’t readily available and seek avenues to uncover it.
Understand that only a small percentage of data is publicly available, which can affect your research or projects.
Consider how AI can be used to solve challenges related to data isolation in fields like computing, healthcare, and energy.
Embrace challenges as opportunities for growth, especially in the realm of medical data.
Continuously develop your critical thinking skills to analyze information and make informed decisions.
Practice articulating your thoughts clearly and concisely, which is essential in both interviews and professional settings.
Keep up with industry developments to better understand where your skills can be applied and how to leverage data effectively.
HACU has partnered with Logixs, a company based in Spain specializing in generative AI, to transform education at member institutions. Read more: https://t.co/U5FNUfYjtq pic.twitter.com/P1zWRK12rv
— HACU (@HACUNews) June 12, 2025
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