Future Ready: AI for Work, Business & Life
A Free 4-Week ECornell Learning Cohort Hosted by the Women's Opportunity Center
Explore the future of work, business, and technology through a supportive local learning community powered by Cornell's Generative & Agentic AI curriculum.
Applications Now Open
July 14 – August 11, 2026
No Cost to Participants
Why This Program Matters
Artificial Intelligence is rapidly transforming how we work, communicate, learn, and do business.
From small business owners and nonprofit leaders to educators, job seekers, and working professionals, people across every industry are discovering new ways to use AI to save time, solve problems, improve productivity, and create opportunities.
Future Ready is designed to help participants move beyond the hype and learn practical, real-world applications of today's leading AI tools in a supportive and collaborative environment.
Whether you're completely new to AI or already experimenting with tools like ChatGPT, this program will help you build skills you can apply immediately.
What You'll Learn
Participants will explore:
• ChatGPT, Claude, Perplexity, and other emerging AI tools
• AI assistants and AI agents
• Prompting strategies and effective communication with AI
• Research, planning, and problem-solving using AI
• Marketing, content creation, and communications
• Productivity and workflow optimization
• Career and workforce applications
• Business and nonprofit use cases
• Responsible and ethical AI use
• The future of work and emerging technology trends
Who Should Apply?
This cohort may be especially valuable for:
• Job seekers and career changers
• Small business owners and entrepreneurs
• Nonprofit professionals
• Educators and trainers
• Community leaders
• Administrative professionals
• Students and lifelong learners
• Anyone interested in building future-ready skills
No technical background or coding experience is required.
Program Details
Program Dates: July 14 – August 11, 2026
Length: 4 Weeks
Format: Online eCornell Learning Experience
Weekly Cohort Meetings: Tuesdays, 4:00 PM – 5:30 PM
Location: Women's Opportunity Center, 315 N. Tioga Street, Ithaca, NY
Cost: Free
Participant Expectations & Eligibility
To help ensure a positive and successful learning experience, participants should meet the following requirements:
Eligibility
• Participants must be 18 years of age or older.
• Participants should have a strong working proficiency in the English language, as course materials, discussions, and activities are conducted in English.
Technology Requirements
• Participants should have access to a computer, laptop, or tablet capable of accessing online course materials.
• Reliable internet access is recommended for completing the online learning modules.
• Participants who do not have access to a device may utilize computers available at Women's Opportunity Center outside of scheduled cohort sessions, subject to availability.
Participation Expectations
Because this program is offered at no cost and enrollment is limited, participants are expected to actively engage in the full four-week cohort experience.
Participants should be prepared to:
• Complete weekly online learning activities.
• Attend the required in-person cohort sessions on Tuesdays from 4:00 PM–5:30 PM.
• Participate in discussions and collaborative learning activities.
• Communicate with program staff if unforeseen circumstances arise.
• Commit to completing the full four-week program.
We encourage individuals to apply only if they intend to fully participate throughout the cohort experience.
Why eCornell?
Participants will access curriculum developed by Cornell faculty and delivered through eCornell, Cornell University's professional education division. Combined with local support from Women's Opportunity Center, participants benefit from Ivy League- quality education in a welcoming community-based learning environment.
Meet Your Community Impact Lead
Stephanie King serves as the Community Impact Lead for the Future Ready cohort through Women's Opportunity Center.
With 30 years of experience in human services, workforce development, life coaching, teaching, and community-based programming, Stephanie is passionate about helping individuals build skills, confidence, and opportunities for success.
In her role at the Women's Opportunity Center, Stephanie works closely with entrepreneurs, job seekers, nonprofit professionals, and community members to connect people with resources, education, and innovative solutions that help them achieve their goals. She also serves on the Board of Directors for Shared Kitchen Ithaca, a nonprofit food business incubator that supports entrepreneurs in launching and growing food-based businesses throughout the region.
A lifelong learner and technology enthusiast, Stephanie is particularly interested in the ways emerging technologies like artificial intelligence can expand access to information, increase productivity, support entrepreneurship, strengthen nonprofit organizations, and create new opportunities for individuals and businesses alike.
As a Community Impact Lead, Stephanie will help facilitate discussions, support participants throughout the cohort experience, and create a collaborative learning environment where participants can explore practical applications of AI in work, business, entrepreneurship, and everyday life.
Stephanie believes that technology should be accessible, empowering, and practical—and that everyone deserves the opportunity to build the skills needed to thrive in a rapidly changing world.