Free AI classes coming to Mesa libraries in May

Mesa Becomes First Arizona City to Offer Free AI Training for Residents

If you have been wondering what all this artificial intelligence buzz is actually about, Mesa is about to make it a lot easier to find out without spending a dime.

The city announced plans to become the first in Arizona to offer free AI training courses to both its employees and the general public. Starting in May, anyone with a Mesa library card can access self-paced courses through LinkedIn Learning, a platform the city is already paying for. That means no new cost to taxpayers and no excuse not to give it a try.

The courses run anywhere from 10 to 30 minutes and are designed for beginner, intermediate, and advanced adult learners. Mesa Public Library Director Polly Bonnett said the program is aimed specifically at seniors, job seekers, and entrepreneurs who want to sharpen their skills and stay competitive in a workforce that is increasingly demanding AI literacy. Classes can be taken online or in person at a Mesa library branch, and the online option is completely anonymous.

The city is not jumping in blind. For more than a year, about 50 employees across all city departments have been quietly testing the program. City CIO Scott Conn told council members that cities investing in AI early are already seeing measurable improvements in service efficiency.

Mesa is only the second city in the entire country known to be offering this kind of combined staff and resident AI training. San Jose, California, blazed the trail first, partnering with several Silicon Valley companies. Mesa is doing it for free by simply unlocking what it already owns.

Not a Mesa library cardholder yet? Maricopa County residents can get one for free at any Mesa library branch. The only thing standing between you and your AI future is a photo ID.

Sources: East Valley Tribune | GovTech | Mesa Tribune | Mesa Public Library