IBM SkillsBuild Holds AI-Focused Learning Events on September 16 for Adult and University Learners
IBM SkillsBuild is expanding its artificial-intelligence learning push on September 16 with free virtual programming for university students, educators, developers and adult learners, including the AI Builders Conference with IBM Bob and a separate session focused on responsible technology for AI agents. The events highlight a broader shift in workforce education from simply teaching people what generative AI is toward helping learners understand how to build with AI, use agentic systems responsibly and develop career-ready technical skills.
The AI Builders Conference runs from 10 AM to 1:30 PM Eastern Time and includes separate tracks for students and educators.
IBM SkillsBuild also lists a “Responsible tech for AI agents” learning session for adult learners and university students from 12:30 PM to 1:30 PM Eastern Time.
Both events are virtual and available as part of IBM's broader free digital-skills ecosystem.
IBM SkillsBuild September 16 AI Events: Key Details
| Event | Audience | Time |
| AI Builders Conference with IBM Bob | Students, educators, developers and innovators | 10 AM-1:30 PM ET |
| Responsible Tech for AI Agents | Adult learners and university students | 12:30-1:30 PM ET |
| Format | Virtual | September 16, 2026 |
| Cost | Free | Online |
What Is the AI Builders Conference With IBM Bob?
The AI Builders Conference is the culminating learning event connected with the 2026 AI Builders Challenge with IBM Bob.
The wider challenge has allowed eligible college and university students to:
- Build AI projects
- Participate in monthly challenges
- Develop technical portfolios
- Learn through IBM SkillsBuild
- Connect with developer communities
September 16 Conference Is Free
The conference is open online and does not require participants to purchase a course.
It is designed for:
- University students
- Faculty
- Educators
- University administrators
- Developers
- AI learners
The Conference Begins With a Shared Keynote
Participants then move into specialised learning tracks.
Student Track: Engineering in the Age of Agents
The student track focuses on how artificial intelligence is changing software development.
Students can explore areas including:
- AI-assisted coding
- Agentic AI
- Software engineering
- AI-powered applications
- Real-world development workflows
What Is Agentic AI?
Traditional generative AI mainly responds to a prompt.
An AI agent can potentially perform a sequence of tasks toward a goal, such as:
- Gathering information
- Using software tools
- Generating code
- Testing output
- Making follow-up decisions
Students Need to Understand More Than Prompting
The next stage of AI literacy involves understanding:
- Workflow design
- Tool use
- Error handling
- Evaluation
- Responsible automation
Faculty Track Focuses on AI in Education
The conference also includes a dedicated faculty and educator pathway.
Topics include how universities can:
- Integrate AI into curriculum
- Prepare students for an AI-driven workforce
- Use AI-powered learning experiences
- Teach responsible AI use
University Faculty Face a New Curriculum Challenge
Students are entering a labor market where AI tools are increasingly built into:
- Software development
- Marketing
- Data analysis
- Design
- Business operations
Universities therefore need to decide which AI skills belong inside existing degree programs.
AI Should Not Be Limited to Computer Science
Business students may use AI for:
- Analysis
- Customer research
- Automation
Design students may use AI for:
- Ideation
- Prototyping
- Content creation
Engineering students may use it for:
- Coding
- Simulation
- Data analysis
IBM Bob Is Central to the Builders Program
The 2026 AI Builders Challenge has been structured around IBM Bob and AI-assisted development.
The goal is to help students build portfolio-ready projects rather than only complete theoretical lessons.
Projects Matter for Early-Career Hiring
Students can say they “know AI,” but recruiters may want evidence.
A portfolio can show:
- The problem solved
- Tools used
- Code or workflow
- Testing
- Final outcome
Students Can Earn Certificates
The AI Builders Conference advertises a Certificate of Participation.
IBM SkillsBuild also offers industry-recognised learning credentials through its broader platform.
A Certificate Is Most Useful When Combined With Skills
Students should not treat certificates as substitutes for competence.
Employers may ask:
- What did you build?
- What problem did you solve?
- How did you verify the AI output?
Responsible Tech for AI Agents Runs the Same Day
IBM SkillsBuild separately lists “Responsible tech for AI agents” for September 16.
The virtual session is scheduled from:
12:30 PM to 1:30 PM Eastern Time.
Why Responsible AI Matters More With Agents
An AI chatbot that produces a wrong paragraph is one problem.
An autonomous system that:
- Sends a message
- Changes data
- Runs software
- Takes another action
can create much greater consequences if its instructions or safeguards are poor.
Responsible AI Includes Human Oversight
Users should know:
- What an agent is allowed to do
- When it needs approval
- How actions are logged
- How mistakes can be reversed
Data Privacy Is Another Core Issue
Students and workers should not upload confidential information into AI systems without understanding:
- Where the data goes
- Whether it is retained
- Who can access it
AI Agents Can Inherit Bias
If an underlying model or dataset contains bias, an automated workflow can reproduce those problems at scale.
Evaluation Is Therefore Essential
Responsible AI development should test:
- Accuracy
- Fairness
- Security
- Reliability
IBM SkillsBuild Is Free
The platform promotes free online learning for:
- Adult learners
- University students
- Educators
Courses Are Career-Oriented
Learning areas include:
- Artificial Intelligence
- Data and Analytics
- Cybersecurity
- Cloud Computing
- Professional Skills
Why Free Skills Platforms Matter
A commercial AI bootcamp can cost hundreds or thousands of dollars.
Free platforms can reduce barriers for:
- Students
- Career changers
- Unemployed learners
- Community college students
Online Learning Still Requires Discipline
Free access does not guarantee completion.
Learners need a study plan.
A Better Strategy Is Project-Based Learning
Instead of watching ten hours of AI videos, try to build:
- A simple chatbot
- A data-analysis workflow
- An AI-assisted application
University Students Should Connect Learning to Their Major
A finance student might build:
- An expense-analysis application
A marketing student might create:
- A campaign research assistant
A Computer Science student might build:
- An agentic developer workflow
Adult Learners Can Use AI Training for Career Transition
Workers in nontechnical roles increasingly encounter AI through:
- Office software
- Customer-service tools
- Analytics platforms
- Content systems
AI Fluency Can Become a General Workforce Skill
Not every employee needs to train a machine-learning model.
But many workers may need to understand:
- How to use AI
- How to verify output
- How to protect data
What Should Students Learn First?
| Stage | Skill |
| 1 | Basic AI concepts |
| 2 | Prompting and interaction |
| 3 | Verification |
| 4 | Automation and agents |
| 5 | Responsible AI |
What Participants Should Do After the Event
- Choose one IBM SkillsBuild pathway.
- Complete a credential.
- Build one practical project.
- Document the project.
- Add verified skills to a resume or portfolio.
Final Takeaway
IBM SkillsBuild is offering multiple free AI learning opportunities on September 16, including the AI Builders Conference with IBM Bob from 10 AM to 1:30 PM ET and a Responsible Tech for AI Agents session from 12:30 PM to 1:30 PM ET.
The conference includes separate tracks for students and educators and covers AI-assisted software development, agentic AI, curriculum integration and AI-powered learning.
The responsible-technology session broadens the conversation by focusing on the safeguards needed when AI systems begin taking actions rather than merely generating text.
For university students and adult learners, the strongest value comes from combining free AI education with real projects, verification skills and responsible-use practices that can be demonstrated to future employers.