OHUB and CompTIA to address growing demand for AI-ready workers

Sept. 16 webinar explores how workers, educators and employers can build the AI skills needed for career growth and economic opportunity

DOWNERS GROVE, Ill., Sept. 10, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- As employers increasingly seek workers who can use artificial intelligence (AI) effectively, Opportunity Hub (OHUB) and CompTIA are bringing together workforce, education and technology leaders to discuss how individuals can build the practical AI skills needed to succeed in a rapidly changing workplace.

The two organizations will host the webinar, "Building America's AI-Ready Workforce," at noon ET on Sept. 16 to explore how practical AI skills can help workers, learners, entrepreneurs and educators succeed in an AI-driven economy.

The conversation comes at a time of growing demand for AI-ready talent. CompTIA workforce research shows more than 320,000 active job postings in August sought candidates with some level of AI skills, up 4.5% from July.¹ In a 2026 CompTIA survey, 87% of job seekers rated digital skills as important to any career pursuit, with AI fundamentals ranking among their top learning priorities.²

Kieran Blanks, chief product officer and AI expert-in-residence at OHUB, and Dr. James Stanger, chief technology evangelist at CompTIA, will explore how individuals can combine their professional expertise and domain knowledge with effective use of AI tools to build meaningful workplace capabilities.

"Workers need practical skills and confidence to use these tools effectively and responsibly," Blanks said. "This conversation is about helping people turn access to AI into career, business and economic opportunity."

"The organizations that benefit most from AI will be those that invest in people, not just technology," Stanger said. "Developing AI-ready workers requires a combination of technical fluency, critical thinking and subject-matter expertise. These are skills that can be learned and applied across virtually every profession."

The webinar builds on a recently announced initiative by OHUB and CompTIA to reach one million Americans by 2030 with practical AI training and education focused on high-growth company building and early-stage investment.³

As AI reshapes work across industries, practical AI skills are becoming essential for career success. This webinar will focus on helping individuals build confidence, strengthen critical thinking and translate AI literacy into workplace success. Participants will learn about:

• The AI and digital skills workers need to become AI-ready
• How effective prompting can improve workplace productivity
• Using AI tools to strengthen existing expertise and professional judgment
• Methods for assessing and visualizing AI literacy
• Strategies for developing and preserving critical-thinking skills in the age of AI

Register for the webinar at "Building America's AI-Ready Workforce." 

About OHUB
Opportunity Hub (OHUB) is a national technology, startup and venture ecosystem-building platform shaping the future of work and ownership in the new economy. OHUB has upskilled more than 7,000 people and impacted more than 800 startups. OHUB-supported founders have raised $400 million. Working in partnership with corporations, educational institutions, government agencies, workforce systems, foundations and community organizations, OHUB builds the talent, venture pathways and innovation infrastructure required to drive economic growth across high-potential sectors. Learn more at https://opportunityhub.co/

About CompTIA
CompTIA, Inc. is the leading global provider of vendor-neutral training and certification products in the information technology (IT) space. Over four million CompTIA certifications have been awarded to current and aspiring technology workers, business professionals, government and military personnel, career changers, students and others. Working in partnership with thousands of academic institutions, governments, training providers and workforce development organizations, CompTIA uses best-in-class learning solutions, industry-recognized certifications and career resources to help job seekers reach their full potential and employers develop skilled technical talent. Learn more at https://www.comptia.org/.

Contact
Steven Ostrowski
CompTIA
[email protected]
630-678-8468

SOURCE CompTIA