About 80 participants in Oneida County's Summer Youth Employment Program completed an Artificial Intelligence Awareness course in early August, part of a pilot partnership between the county's Office of Workforce Development and Mohawk Valley Community College.
The four four-hour sessions, taught by Franca Armstrong, MVCC's Executive Director of Apprenticeship Programs, gave students a practical introduction to AI and its role in education, careers, and everyday life.
What the course covered
The curriculum covered both the benefits and risks of AI, including how to use it as a learning tool rather than a shortcut for schoolwork. Students learned to identify AI-generated misinformation, such as fake videos and manipulated online content, and gained a clearer picture of how AI systems work and why critical thinking still matters.
Participants also explored practical uses for AI in research, problem-solving, and routine tasks. The course emphasized that using AI effectively depends on asking the right questions and carefully evaluating what the technology returns.
Why the county ran the pilot
"Preparing our young people for success means equipping them with the knowledge and skills they'll need in a rapidly changing workforce," said Oneida County Executive Anthony Picente Jr. "Artificial intelligence is transforming nearly every industry, and it is important that our Summer Youth Employment participants understand how to use it responsibly, recognize its limitations and embrace the opportunities it will create throughout their careers."
David Mathis, director of the Oneida County Office of Workforce Development, said the course introduced participants to a technology that will matter throughout their working lives. "Using AI the right way is going to be one of the make-or-break skills for our emerging workforce," he said. "This pilot program gave our participants an introduction to technology that will become increasingly important throughout their careers while reinforcing the value of independent thinking and responsible decision-making."
The AI Awareness course was a pilot initiative as the Office of Workforce Development expands offerings that prepare Summer Youth Employment Program participants for success beyond their summer jobs.
Why this matters for educators and employers
Oneida County's pilot shows that AI literacy can be taught in a short, structured format - four sessions, one instructor, and a curriculum that pairs practical use with risk awareness. For schools and workforce programs, the model is repeatable: local community colleges can serve as delivery partners, and a focus on critical thinking over tool-specific skills keeps the content relevant even as AI products change.
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