Michigan Technological University’s commitment to advancing artificial intelligence education and workforce development reached the national stage when faculty members Alex Sergeyev and Vinh Nguyen participated in the Congressional Artificial Intelligence Caucus in Washington, D.C., on September 19. The event, organized with the National Science Foundation (NSF), gathered AI experts from academia and government to brief policymakers on the technological, economic, and social impacts of AI, along with the opportunities emerging from its rapid evolution.
Sergeyev, a professor in the Department of Applied Computing and director of the mechatronics engineering graduate program, and Nguyen, an assistant professor in the Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering and director of the Michigan Tech Center for Artificial Intelligence, presented their NSF-funded initiative: the $999,930 three-year Experiential Learning for Emerging and Novel Technologies (ExLENT) grant. Officially titled “Beginnings Track: Experiential Learning for the Mechatronics Workforce in the Upper Peninsula and Northern Michigan,” the project targets workforce development in advanced manufacturing, with a focus on mechatronics—a discipline integrating mechanical, electrical, electronic, and software engineering.
Launched in the summer, the Beginnings Track project is structured in three phases, each involving a cohort of up to 20 participants. Over 120 to 150 hours, students engage in self-directed learning modules, hands-on work with state-of-the-art equipment at Michigan Tech, and site visits to industrial companies to observe complex mechatronic systems in operation. The first cohort completed its training earlier this year, marking an early milestone in the program’s rollout.
Nguyen, who developed the AI-related curriculum for the project, emphasized the broader significance of the event. “The AI Caucus event was an excellent opportunity to showcase and further Michigan Tech’s national presence in terms of AI education,” he said. He noted discussions on how AI will influence the future workforce and the unique perspective Michigan Tech offers due to its rural location, contrasting with the experiences of urban-based institutions.
The caucus featured representatives from 15 other universities, including Georgia Tech, Texas A&M, Carnegie Mellon, Oklahoma State University, University of Washington, and University of Florida. The diversity of institutions underscored the wide-ranging interest in AI’s role in STEM education and workforce readiness.
Sergeyev, principal investigator of the grant, demonstrated a teleoperated robotics work cell developed at Michigan Tech. This system, accessible globally via an internet connection, enables remote users to perform the same operations as those physically present in the lab. “The developed technology for teleoperation of industrial robots captured significant interest among attendees at the AI Capitol Hill event,” Sergeyev said. NSF Director Sethuraman Panchanathan remarked on its “transformative potential,” suggesting it could redefine how industrial robotics training is delivered.
Teleoperation in robotics offers tangible benefits for workforce training, particularly in regions where access to advanced equipment is limited. By removing geographical constraints, institutions can extend high-quality, real-time training to a broader audience. Sergeyev is collaborating with NSF leadership to develop a remote training hub for industrial robotics at Michigan Tech, aiming to set a new standard for skill development in advanced robotics.
“We aim to establish a state-of-the-art remote training hub for industrial robotics at Michigan Tech. The hub will provide students and professionals with hands-on, real-time training opportunities from any location, setting a new standard for how skills in advanced robotics are taught and developed,” Sergeyev stated. This approach aligns with broader industry trends toward distributed learning environments and the integration of telepresence in technical education.
The initiative reflects Michigan Tech’s broader mission as an R1 public research university, serving nearly 7,500 students from over 60 countries. Founded in 1885 and located in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula near Lake Superior, the university offers more than 185 degree programs across science, engineering, computing, and other disciplines. Its rural setting provides a distinctive backdrop for innovation, blending advanced technological research with a strong connection to regional industry needs.
“Vinh and I were both very proud to represent Michigan Tech on Capitol Hill,” Sergeyev said. “We’re thankful for this rare opportunity to share the work we’re doing to facilitate education in advanced manufacturing in Northern Michigan and the Upper Peninsula.”