Digital transformation and the emergence of artificial intelligence (AI) are reshaping culture, education and the workplace. The Dakota Digital Academy (DDA), established by the North Dakota University System (NDUS) in 2020, aims to help North Dakota navigate this pivotal moment of both promise and challenge. As an alliance among North Dakota’s research universities, regional universities, community colleges and affiliated tribal colleges, the DDA fosters collaboration and the cross-pollination of innovative online learning in computing, cybersecurity, and data and AI sciences. The DDA seeks to cultivate a critical mass of shared talent and resources across the state to address challenges and unlock opportunities related to digital transformation and AI that might otherwise be unreachable by any single institution.
Due to its small size, North Dakota has many advantages, such as greater access to institutions and leaders, as well as the organizational effectiveness stemming from interconnected social networks in a rural state. However, this small size can also pose challenges in attracting talent and establishing infrastructure in cutting-edge technology domains. Despite these challenges, the state has successfully nurtured competence in technology, with thriving software, ag-tech and bio-tech companies founded by a workforce largely educated through NDUS institutions. To ensure we win the future, we must pool our resources and collective will to prepare North Dakota’s workforce for an AI-driven landscape.
The DDA collaborates closely with North Dakota’s 11 public colleges and universities, including two research universities, four regional universities, and five colleges, along with the state’s five tribal colleges. This partnership of talented faculty enables the design and delivery of innovative workshops, courses, targeted skill-specific training and certificate programs. The DDA is committed not only to enhancing the technical skills of professionals entering the workforce, upskilling people in the workforce, but also to improving continuing education and credentialing for K-12 teachers. Furthermore, the DDA supports ongoing statewide initiatives to incorporate digital literacy into general education curricula at all levels. North Dakota is leading this pioneering effort to ensure that our future workforce is computer and cyber literate, and the DDA is dedicated to supporting this initiative and keeping programs current in emerging areas such as AI. ◉
Todd A. Pringle, PhD.
Todd A. Pringle, PhD, is the director of the Dakota Digital Academy, North Dakota University System. He also is the cofounder of Crosswinds Institute, a non-profit media organization focusing on civic society, education and technology. He is also a part-time academic and PhD student in the Department of Psychology at NDSU. Prof. Pringle leads electronics hardware teams exploring new technologies in electrification, human-machine interface and perception systems for Deere & Co. He is a partner at the 701 Fund, focusing on pre-seed and seed investments. He cofounded two coatings development companies in outdoor products and surface disinfection. He has a BS in Electrical Engineering, an
MS in Polymers and Coatings Science, and a PhD in Materials & Nanotechnology, all from NDSU.
