WinstonNet Builds AI Innovation Lab in Winston-Salem
The new facility at the MLK Recreation Center will offer specialized artificial intelligence training starting in 2027.
Updated on Oct. 28, 2026 in Data Centers
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Nonprofit organization WinstonNet is expanding its digital infrastructure by building an artificial intelligence training lab at the MLK Recreation Center. The facility is expected to open in 2027, adding to the agency's existing network of 25 computer labs across Winston-Salem.
Why it matters
The expansion signals a shift from basic digital literacy support toward specialized AI training in Forsyth County. This initiative aims to address local technology skill gaps as the nonprofit evolves from its founding mission of bridging the digital divide in the 2000s.
WinstonNet currently supports 25 computer labs and has distributed 5,800 devices over 25 years. The agency offers digital literacy programs ranging from a 4-hour basic course to a 30-hour training partnership with Forsyth Tech.
The players
WinstonNet
A local nonprofit that provides digital literacy training and refurbishes donated corporate hardware for public distribution.
Forsyth Tech
A regional educational institution providing curriculum support for technical and digital literacy training programs.
Winston-Salem Foundation
A philanthropic organization providing funding and investment support for regional nonprofit operations.
The details
WinstonNet facilitates access by refurbishing donated corporate hardware in-house for community distribution. The organization pairs these hardware deployments with structured education, including a 30-hour digital literacy certification program managed in partnership with Forsyth Tech. The new AI innovation lab at the MLK Recreation Center represents an expansion of these instructional methods, shifting focus toward specialized machine learning and artificial intelligence skills.
Timeline
2000s: WinstonNet established.
2020-2022: Digital Bridges Forsyth program launched.
2027: MLK AI innovation training lab opens.
The Tech Race
The expansion follows the pattern set by the Digital Equity Act of 2021, moving local community infrastructure toward specialized technical workforce development. It marks a transition for the agency from providing basic hardware access to delivering advanced AI-focused technical training.
Residents in Forsyth County will gain access to specialized AI training facilities at the MLK Recreation Center starting in 2027. This supplements existing services like hardware refurbishment and the 30-hour digital literacy program currently available through the nonprofit.
The takeaway
WinstonNet is scaling its mission to match the rapid demand for advanced technical skills beyond basic internet access. Readers should watch for the 2027 opening announcement for specific registration details for the new AI innovation training program.
Further reading
Read more about how infrastructure supports digital inclusion in Data Centers.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Myfox8.
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