The Artificial Intelligence Competency Framework: a success pipeline from college to university and beyond is the principal outcome of an ambitious collaborative project between Concordia University and Dawson College. The aim is to provide a flexible tool for educators, program developers, recognition of acquired competencies (RAC) coordinators, and other stakeholders engaged with developing curriculum and training programs that address ever-evolving Al talent needs. Growing evidence for an accelerating rate of digital transformation further amplified by the worldwide coronavirus pandemic, motivated us to look toward curriculum frameworks that are general in focus. For this reason, clustered AI competencies that may be used in varied higher education contexts along the pipeline for the pressing needs of today while being adaptable and extensible for the future.

The AI competency framework is a result of extensive consultation with subject matter experts, instructional designers, and program development professionals. It serves as a curriculum development resource that can balance the technical, business, and human domains with ethics and civics in educational programs and professional training. Since the competencies are modular, they can be combined to fit specific objectives and program goals.

In the face of numerous challenges and in persevering through the pandemic conditions, our team proudly celebrates the achievement of this work. It points to our shared responsibility in higher education to accompany learners through the acquisition of skills and knowledge along paths toward a lifetime of learning for the good of all. This also marks the beginning of a new phase of collaboration with opportunities to partner, innovate, and tackle education challenges in the age of AI. We hope that this AI competency framework user guide will be a valuable addition to your AI education toolkit.