AI Programs Launching Fall 2026

by | Oct 9, 2026 | AI Training, Blog

SOVA Innovation Hub Announces AI Business Workshops and High School Innovation Challenge

Two programs launch to help businesses and students build AI skills and solve real-world challenges

SOUTH BOSTON, VA – September 17, 2026 – The SOVA Innovation Hub is offering two opportunities to put artificial intelligence to work in Southern Virginia: an AI for Business workshop series beginning October 1 and the AI Innovation Challenge for high school students, presented with Longwood University’s SEED Innovation Hub.

The business workshops will help entrepreneurs, business owners, and employees apply AI to everyday work. The student challenge will connect young people with educators, mentors, and Longwood University AI experts to develop solutions to local community needs.

AI for Business workshops begin October 1

In the AI for Business workshops, participants will explore AI’s capabilities and limits, see demonstrations, and choose a business task to try with AI.

The series opens with “AI for Business: What AI Is, What It Can Do, & How to Start Using It,” an introduction to AI, on October 1, 2026 from 12 to 1:30 pm at the SOVA Innovation Hub in South Boston. The same introductory workshop will be offered October 20 from 5:30 to 7 pm at the SOVA Innovation Hub. No experience, account, or device is required for the introductory session; participants may bring a laptop or tablet.

The series continues at the SOVA Innovation Hub with:
• November 17, 2026, 5:30 to 7 pm: Practical Prompting for Everyday Work
• December 3, 2026, 12 to 2 pm: From Chatbot to Workflow, focused on building repeatable AI systems
• January 12, 2027, 12 to 2 pm: AI for Marketing, Outreach, and Content Creation
An AI account is recommended for hands-on participation in December and for participation in January.

“These workshops build on feedback from entrepreneurs in our RISE network and businesses that completed the gener8tor Skills AI for Leaders program earlier this year,” said Lauren Mathena, Director of Economic Development and Community Engagement for the SOVA Innovation Hub. “We designed the series to help participants apply AI to everyday business tasks, with opportunities to practice and build on what they learn.”

The AI for Business workshops are open to entrepreneurs and representatives of businesses at any stage. The only requirement is an interest in gaining AI skills and growing your business.

Details and registration are available at sovainnovationhub.com/ai-programs/ai-workshops-for-business/.

AI Innovation Challenge invites high school teams

The AI Innovation Challenge helps students in grades 9-12 identify a community problem, learn from people affected by it, and develop and test an AI-supported solution. No prior AI or coding experience is required. Public school, private school, and homeschool students may participate. Student teams must be based in Brunswick, Buckingham, Charlotte, Cumberland, Halifax, Lunenburg, Mecklenburg, Nottoway, or Prince Edward County. Local Lead Educators, team educators, community mentors, college students, and Longwood faculty will support the teams. Lead Educator applications are due September 30, 2026. Student teams must register by November 25, 2026. Students may express interest before forming a complete team or choosing a project. Free virtual and in-person workshops began in September and are open to the community. The next session, on AI workflows for community problem-solving, is October 7 from 3:30 to 5 pm on Zoom. Teams will present their solutions at the SOVA Innovation Hub in late March 2027, competing for implementation prizes of $5,000, $3,000, $1,500, and $500. “This challenge will give students an opportunity to do more than learn how to use AI,” said Mathena. “They will work with educators and community partners to identify local needs, build possible solutions, and explore how emerging technology can make a difference in Southern Virginia.” “Opportunities like this will position Southern Virginia at the cutting edge of what is possible with AI,” said Jacob Dolence, Director of Entrepreneurship and Innovation for the SEED Innovation Hub. “Rural communities that use the power of AI can help create solutions to some of our most pressing challenges. This program will give students the skills, support, and space to take part in that work.” Students, educators, and prospective mentors can find details and interest forms at sovainnovationhub.com/ai-programs/ai-innovation-challenge.

No Cost to Participate

Both programs are offered at no cost to participants, thanks to grant funding awarded to the SOVA Innovation Hub by the OpenAI Foundation through its 2025 People-First AI Fund.

Interested businesses, entrepreneurs, students, educators, and community mentors can find details and interest forms at sovainnovationhub.com/ai-programs.

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