Katt Williams Partners With Miles College To Launch Scholarship Focused On AI And AR Technologies

Comedian Katt Williams is partnering with Miles College to ensure students are ahead of the learning curve in technology.

Complex reported that Williams and the Alabama historically Black college and university (HBCU) are launching a scholarship to support learners in AI and augmented reality (AR). The scholarship fund will provide students with opportunities to learn virtual production, CGI, and immersive storytelling.

“There are a lot of jobs right now that in five years won’t be in existence because of AR and AI, and we want to make sure that our students are equipped with the tools they need to operate in that world,” Miles College President Bobbie Knights said, according to WVTM 13.

In addition, Williams is opening a production hub in Anniston, AL, at the closed U.S. Army training base, Fort McClellan. The hub — launched under his production company Kemet Movie Works — takes inspiration from the region’s history, including the Chitlin’ Circuit, which supported the careers of James Brown, Aretha Franklin, and B.B. King during the segregation era, according to information on the production company’s website. The location will provide opportunities for the community.

“Mi casa es su casa,” Williams said, according to WVTM 13, noting that, instead of sourcing labor to other countries, Kemet Movie Works will bring job opportunities and training to locals, especially workers of color.

The production hub features two fully equipped, state-of-the-art sound stages that can support virtual production, computer-generated imagery, and immersive sets, according to WVTM 13. Kemet Movie Works will adopt AI across small indie films and major studio projects, the outlet continued.

“Most of the entities that are in the moviemaking business had to fear AI because of what that means. But fortunately, we were able to lean into instead of leaning against,” Williams said, per WVTM 13.

“In conjunction with Miles College, [this investment] just gives us an opportunity to deal with the best and the brightest and to make sure that people that look like us are able to get these opportunities that previously were only available if you went to Hollywood itself,” he added.

Williams further stated that the adoption of AI will lead to better movies and production, and said the studio will do so without cutting down the workforce.