On October 30th, the Montgomery College Germantown Campus was buzzing with energy for the Future Forward: Youth, AI, and the New Digital Horizon summit, hosted by Maryland Latinos Unidos (MLU). The event successfully brought together students, educators, policymakers, and industry leaders to tackle a crucial topic: preparing Maryland’s youth for a world rapidly being reshaped by Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Quantum Computing.
🌟 Summit Success: Bridging the Digital Divide
The conference served as a vital platform, directly supporting the goals of the Maryland Blueprint for Maryland’s Future by focusing on equitable access to emerging technologies. The day was centered on demystifying complex concepts and highlighting clear career pathways, ensuring students from all backgrounds can confidently prepare for thriving futures in high-demand tech fields.
“The Future Forward summit successfully built a much-needed bridge between government, industry, education, and communities, underscoring Maryland’s commitment to an inclusive innovation ecosystem.”
Key Highlights & Takeaways:
- Maryland Leadership Keynote: State leaders addressed the audience, emphasizing Maryland’s strategic position as a hub for AI and quantum innovation and the importance of investing in a diverse, tech-savvy talent pipeline.
- AI in Education Panel: Discussions centered on integrating AI tools ethically and effectively into curricula to enhance learning, develop career-ready skills, and show students how their learning connects to real-world applications.
- Youth-Led Dialogues: Students took center stage, sharing powerful personal narratives and aspirations. These dialogues provided essential grassroots input, envisioning tech-ready communities and informing future policy.
- Workforce & Equity: Interactive sessions explored evolving workforce trends and the necessity of technological equity, particularly for underrepresented youth in fields like health sciences, IT, engineering, manufacturing, and business.
🤝 Next Steps: Sustaining Momentum
The connections made at the summit—between students and industry professionals, and between policymakers and the community—will be crucial for maintaining momentum. Maryland Latinos Unidos and its partners plan to use the insights gained to:
- Advance Inclusive Policy: Use the summit’s findings to inform policy conversations on tech, equity, and opportunity.
- Expand Career Exposure: Develop further opportunities to give students early insight into AI’s role across various high-demand industries.
- Strengthen Partnerships: Continue to build the coalition of government, industry, and education partners dedicated to a diverse and highly skilled Maryland workforce.
The October 30th summit was not just an event—it was a call to action to prepare the next generation for the new digital horizon.
