Future Forward: Students Complete Unique AI Program Offered in Partnership With Amazon Web Services

Two years ago, City Colleges and Amazon Web Services (AWS) announced the launch of a cutting-edge machine learning program known as Machine Learning University (MLU), which would be offered at no cost through Kennedy-King College’s Tech Launchpad. Now, the first cohort of students to complete all five classes included in the program are getting ready to make their mark in the field of artificial intelligence (AI).  

On Friday, July 18, eight students proudly received their certificates at a celebration at Harold Washington College. One of the completers is Ruben Lopez, who started his City Colleges journey taking English as a Second Language classes at Truman College. After mastering English, he completed a Google certification program at City Colleges and scored a job in the IT field. He then found out about the MLU program and enrolled to advance his career.   

“All of the participants that completed this program successfully are now in a very unique position,” said Ruben. “We have information straight from the source—from people who work in the industry—and that’s invaluable.” 

Through MLU, City Colleges faculty and students have access to the same machine learning content used by Amazon developers, helping students like Ruben gain real-world skills at no cost. 

As technology continues to rapidly evolve, machine learning has emerged as a transformative force across industries. Recognizing the growing demand for expertise in this field of study, City Colleges of Chicago took the proactive approach by joining forces with AWS in 2023, a global leader in cloud computing and artificial intelligence. Through this collaboration, the Machine Learning University at City Colleges of Chicago offers students a comprehensive and hands-on learning experience, equipping them with the tools to harness the power of machine learning and solve complex real-world problems. The average salary for professionals certified in AWS Machine Learning is around $171,000 annually. However, salaries can vary widely based on experience, location, and other factors.