About the opportunity
What this programme is offering
Udacity, in collaboration with Accenture and powered by AWS Skill Builder, has launched the AWS AI & ML Scholars Program, a large-scale global learning initiative designed to equip learners with foundational and advanced skills in artificial intelligence, machine learning, and agentic AI systems. The programme aims to build a global community of up to 100,000 learners while providing structured pathways into industry-relevant AI careers.
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The initiative is built around real-world cloud technologies from Amazon Web Services (AWS), enabling participants to gain hands-on experience with tools such as Amazon Bedrock and Amazon PartyRock while developing practical, job-ready AI competencies.
Overview of the AWS AI & ML Scholars Program
The AWS AI & ML Scholars Program is a two-phase learning journey designed to support learners at different stages of their AI education. It is open globally and does not require prior experience in artificial intelligence or machine learning, making it accessible to students, early-career professionals, and career switchers.
The programme focuses on developing skills aligned with modern AI job roles, particularly in agentic AI systems, cloud-based machine learning, and AI-driven business solutions.
Key objectives of the programme include:
Building foundational AI and machine learning knowledge
Introducing learners to AWS cloud-based AI tools
Providing hands-on experience with real-world AI applications
Preparing participants for future AI careers through structured learning pathways
Offering progression into advanced Udacity Nanodegree programmes
Programme Structure and Learning Phases
The AWS AI & ML Scholars journey is divided into two main phases designed to guide learners from foundational knowledge to advanced specialization.
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Phase 1: Challenge Phase
The Challenge Phase is open to up to 100,000 learners globally and runs from 24 March 2026 to 24 June 2026.
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During this stage, participants engage in self-paced learning based on the AWS Artificial Intelligence Practitioner curriculum. The focus is on building core AI literacy and practical skills using AWS technologies.
Learners explore:
Core artificial intelligence and generative AI concepts
Natural language processing and computer vision
Data preparation, model training, deployment, and monitoring
Responsible AI principles and ethical considerations
Hands-on tools such as Amazon PartyRock and Amazon Bedrock
Participants who successfully complete this phase receive a certificate of completion and gain eligibility for the next stage of the programme.
Phase 2: Udacity Nanodegree Programme
The second phase runs from 4 August 2026 to 4 November 2026 and is reserved for the top 4,500 learners selected based on assessment performance.
Selected participants receive fully funded access to specialised Nanodegree tracks designed to prepare them for high-demand AI careers. These tracks focus on applied learning, project development, and portfolio building.
Participants also receive up to three months of continued AWS Skill Builder access to further reinforce their learning.
AI Career Tracks and Specialisations
Learners advancing to Phase 2 can choose from three specialised career pathways aligned with emerging roles in artificial intelligence and cloud computing.
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Future AWS AI Programmer
This technical track is designed for learners aiming to build strong programming and machine learning foundations.
Key learning outcomes include:
Advanced Python programming for data analysis and visualization
Machine learning model development using PyTorch
Neural networks, including transformer architectures
Foundational knowledge aligned with entry-level Python certification standards
This pathway prepares learners for roles involving direct AI and machine learning model development.
Future AWS Agentic AI Business Professional
This track is designed for professionals who want to apply AI in business environments without deep technical coding requirements.
Key learning outcomes include:
Building AI agents using Amazon QuickSight and related tools
Data transformation and business intelligence workflows
Designing AI-driven decision-making systems
Automating business processes using AI technologies
This pathway focuses on leveraging AI for operational efficiency, analytics, and strategic decision-making.
Future AWS Agent Engineer
This advanced technical track focuses on building production-ready AI systems using AWS infrastructure.
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Key learning outcomes include:
Developing AI systems using Amazon Bedrock and foundation models
Applying prompt engineering, reasoning strategies, and retrieval-augmented generation (RAG)
Building single-agent and multi-agent systems with tools and APIs
Designing enterprise-grade AI applications
Participants also work on portfolio projects such as:
AI-powered supply chain management systems
Multi-agent travel concierge systems
This track prepares learners for advanced AI engineering and system design roles.
Eligibility and Access
The AWS AI & ML Scholars Program is designed to be inclusive and globally accessible.
Eligibility requirements include:
Open to individuals aged 18 and above
No prior AI or machine learning experience required
Open to learners worldwide
Suitable for students, early-career professionals, and career changers
This accessibility ensures broad participation in emerging AI education pathways.
Programme Timeline
The structured timeline for the programme includes:
Applications and Challenge Phase: 24 March 2026 – 24 June 2026
Assessment Sent: 5 July 2026
Assessment Deadline: 13 July 2026
Nanodegree Recipients Announced: 27 July 2026
Nanodegree Programme Duration: 4 August 2026 – 4 November 2026
This timeline ensures a clear progression from foundational learning to advanced specialization.
Learning Experience and Industry Relevance
The programme is built around real-world AWS cloud infrastructure and emphasizes applied learning. Participants gain exposure to industry-relevant tools and workflows used in modern AI development.
Key learning tools include:
Amazon Bedrock for foundation model development
Amazon PartyRock for generative AI applications
AWS AI Practitioner learning frameworks
The focus on agentic AI reflects a growing industry trend toward autonomous systems capable of performing complex tasks with minimal human intervention.
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Conclusion
The AWS AI & ML Scholars Program, developed by Udacity in partnership with Accenture and AWS, represents a significant global effort to democratize access to artificial intelligence education. By combining foundational training, hands-on cloud experience, and advanced specialization pathways, the programme prepares learners for the rapidly evolving AI job market.
With its dual-phase structure and industry-aligned curriculum, the initiative plays a key role in developing the next generation of AI professionals equipped to work on real-world challenges in cloud computing, machine learning, and agentic AI systems.
How to apply