University of Hawaiʻi launches workforce symposium on AI adoption
The University of Hawaiʻi is partnering with state agencies to prepare workers for an economy reshaped by artificial intelligence. A four-part symposium series, "The AI Transformation: Preparing Hawaiʻi's Workforce for the Future," brings together educators, business leaders, and government officials to address skills gaps and economic impacts.
The second event in the series runs June 25, 2026, from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. at Honolulu Community College. The session, "Building an AI ready workforce in Hawaiʻi," examines the business case for responsible AI adoption, industry-specific opportunities and risks, and what education providers need to teach. Attendance caps at 100 people, with priority given to UH faculty, staff, and administrators.
What the symposium covers
The June event focuses on practical workforce questions: How do businesses adopt AI responsibly? What jobs change, and which disappear? What skills do workers need to stay competitive?
The series began in April with "Where is AI and where is it going," held at the Hawaiʻi State Capitol. That session covered data challenges, privacy frameworks, and AI's effects on work and society.
Who's involved
Partners include the State Workforce Development Council, the Hawaiʻi Department of Education, the Department of Business, Economic Development and Tourism, and Imua ʻOnipaʻa, a Hawaiʻi-based nonprofit.
UH President Wendy Hensel said the university's role is to ensure training programs equip residents with AI literacy needed for an AI-driven economy. Bennette E. Misalucha, executive director of the State Workforce Development Council, said the goal is to prepare Hawaiʻi's workforce, institutions, and communities rather than simply react to AI's arrival.
Christine Beaule, UH System Director of Workforce Development, said the series addresses pressing challenges for communities and the state. "AI will impact us all in ways we can only imagine at the moment," she said.
IT and development professionals should consider how these workforce shifts affect hiring, skill requirements, and career planning. AI for IT & Development resources can help professionals understand these changes in their field. For developers specifically, an AI Learning Path for Software Developers provides practical training to build skills for an AI-ready workplace.
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