The 2026 AI Learnathon is a system-wide, month-long engagement initiative designed to build foundational AI literacy among faculty and staff. Running from March 27 through April 30, 2026, the Learnathon intentionally aligns with National AI Literacy Day (March 27), a CATIE Webinar (April 2), the Chancellor’s Faculty Innovation and Impact Symposium (April 9-10), National AI Week (April 13–17), and major AI-related events across member institutions. Using existing Grow with Google and ACUE licenses for training and certification, the initiative focuses on practical, ethical, and role-relevant AI use that is designed to move participants from awareness to action.
Artificial intelligence is increasingly becoming a tool that supports how work is done in higher education, research, administration, and the broader economy. The 2026 AI Learnathon acknowledges this reality and intentionally encourages faculty and staff to engage AI purposefully, build comfort through hands-on learning, develop foundational proficiency, and achieve certification from platforms like Google and ACUE.
Present at AI Elevate at Tarleton State Fort Worth. Proposals due by April 6, 2026
Learn more about the 2026 TAMU Learnathon
Tent Pole Events
- March 27: Launch of the 2026 AI Learnathon on National AI Literacy Day.
- March 27 – April 11: Enrollment phase focused on awareness, enrollment, and early engagement.
- April 2 [9AM to 12PM]: A faculty innovation webinar hosted by the Council on Academic Technology and Innovative Education (CATIE) Faculty Innovation Task Force will highlight faculty innovations in teaching and learning, including examples of AI-enabled instructional practices. Link: CATIE Webinar
- April 9–10: The Chancellor’s Faculty Innovation and Impact Symposium will serve as a system-wide reinforcement point. Google will lead panels highlighting Google Career Certificates and AI offerings, including AI Essentials and Prompting Essentials, connecting the Learnathon to broader faculty innovation and workforce-aligned priorities. Grammarly and ACUE will similarly lead panels on effective teaching practices, and effective and ethical use of AI in teaching and learning.
- April 13–17: National AI Week will serve as the primary engagement accelerator, reinforcing system-level visibility, encouraging participants to progress toward completion, highlighting practical AI applications across roles, and inviting early completers to deepen engagement through prompting essentials.
- April 18–30: Completion, reflection, and close-out phase.