Comcast Awards $30,000 to the AI Academy at the Charleston Learning Center

Charleston Digital is pleased to announce a $30,000 grant from Comcast in support of the AI Academy at the Charleston Learning Center (CLC). The grant was awarded to the CDC Education Foundation for a one-year term.

Since 2011, Charleston Digital's talent strategy has recognized that a digitally iterate and adaptable workforce is essential to the region's economic future. The AI Academy at the Charleston Learning Center, launched in June 2026 after a pilot of the Collaborating with Agents series, extends that commitment through in-person, community-sourced classes and workshops for Tri-County residents at every level of experience. Its goal is to move people from AI anxiety to curiosity, competence, productivity, and eventually the confidence to lead others through the same journey.

Comcast grant supports the CLC’s endeavor to bring accessible workshops, certificates and meetups for learners in the Tri-county region.

“Artificial intelligence is reshaping the workplace, and access to practical training will be essential to ensuring everyone can benefit from the opportunities it creates,” said Keir Murray, Vice President of Local Government & Community Affairs, South Carolina, Comcast. “By supporting the AI Academy, we’re helping Charleston-area residents turn uncertainty about emerging technology into useful skills, greater confidence, and new pathways for professional and economic growth.”

“A workforce prepared for AI is not something a region builds one credential at a time. This grant lets us put practical instruction in front of significantly more residents, and it keeps the entry point free for the people who need it most," says Ernest Andrade, Executive Director of Charleston Digital.

Those looking for a place to start are encouraged to attend an upcoming Open House to learn more about the CLC’s AI curriculum and register for the free Introduction to AI class. The AI Academy also offers intermediate-level classes such as Claude for Professionals, and advanced-level offerings for software engineers, including Coding with AI agents. Full schedules and registration are available HERE.