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North Carolina Ranks No. 24 for AI Readiness, Study Finds Gaps in Jobs, Education, and Funding
North Carolina ranks 24th least prepared for AI adoption, facing challenges in education, jobs, and funding. AI-related degrees are rising, but infrastructure and access need improvement.
North Carolina Ranks 24th Least Prepared State for AI Adoption in Jobs, Education, and Funding
A recent study highlights North Carolina’s position as the 24th least AI-ready state in the U.S., based on factors such as job availability, educational programs, and government funding. With projections from the World Economic Forum indicating that 41% of employers plan to replace workers with AI by 2030, the urgency for educators and organizations to focus on upskilling and reskilling has never been clearer.
Encouragingly, the number of students earning AI-related degrees has grown significantly. In 2023, 424,000 students graduated with AI-related qualifications, marking a 32% increase over five years. This trend underscores the growing interest in AI education but also signals a need for broader access and resources to prepare the workforce effectively.
Insights from the Brainly Study on AI Preparedness
Brainly's latest study, analyzing data from the Census Bureau, Bureau of Labor Statistics, and National Center for Education Statistics, examined how ready each state is for AI adoption. The analysis focused on:
- Percentage of companies using AI
- AI-related degrees per capita
- Federal funding relative to GDP
- Availability of high school foundational courses relevant to AI
North Carolina’s Performance
North Carolina shows mixed results in AI readiness:
- Poor access to ultra high-speed internet at home: Only 47.2% of households have access, ranking 39th nationally.
- Low AI-related degree attainment: 78 AI-related degrees per 10,000 people aged 20-24, placing it 29th.
- Strong presence of AI-intensive jobs: 15 AI-focused jobs per 1,000 workers, ranked 10th.
These findings suggest that while job opportunities in AI sectors exist, educational and infrastructural support needs improvement to prepare a broader segment of the population.
States Leading and Lagging in AI Readiness
The study identified the 10 most AI-ready regions as:
- Washington D.C.
- New Hampshire
- Utah
- Maryland
- Massachusetts
- Colorado
- California
- Washington
- Rhode Island
- Virginia
On the other hand, the 10 least prepared states are:
- Alaska
- West Virginia
- Maine
- Louisiana
- Idaho
- New Mexico
- Wisconsin
- Oklahoma
- Montana
- Mississippi
What Educators Can Do Now
For those working in education, these findings highlight the need to expand AI-related learning opportunities and improve digital infrastructure access. Fostering skills in AI and related technologies will help students and workers adapt to shifting job market demands.
Educators interested in enhancing AI skills can explore specialized courses and certifications that focus on practical AI applications. Options range from foundational AI knowledge to advanced skills in prompt engineering, automation, and data analysis. Resources like Complete AI Training offer curated programs to help educators and learners stay current with industry needs.
Further Information
For full rankings and detailed methodology, visit the Brainly study page. Staying informed about these trends can guide strategic decisions in education and workforce development.