On October 16, 2025, just hours before the roar of Formula 1 engines filled the Texas hills at the Circuit of the Americas, IBM and Mission 44 unveiled a bold new alliance to bring artificial intelligence education to students worldwide — using F1 as the classroom. The partnership, announced in Austin, Texas, isn’t just about tech. It’s about access. About opportunity. About turning the adrenaline of motorsport into a launchpad for careers in AI, cloud computing, and cybersecurity — especially for young people who’ve never seen themselves in those fields.
Why This Matters Now
Here’s the thing: AI isn’t coming. It’s already here. And it’s rewriting the rules of work. According to the AI Workforce Consortium, AI-related jobs have surged 74% across G7 nations since 2020. These roles don’t just pay more — they generate 3.2 times the economic value of non-AI technical jobs. Yet, 87% of employers say AI literacy is now essential for new hires. That’s a gap. A growing, urgent one. And IBM, which has already trained over 12.7 million people through its IBM SkillsBuild platform, isn’t waiting for governments to catch up.
The Players Behind the Push
At the center of this effort is Lewis Hamilton, the seven-time Formula 1 champion and current driver for Scuderia Ferrari HP. Since founding Mission 44 in 2021, Hamilton has been quietly building a movement — not just for diversity in racing, but for equity in tech. "Talent is everywhere," he said in Austin. "But not everyone is afforded the opportunity for career growth. That’s why we’re teaming up with IBM SkillsBuild to unlock new learning pathways." Joining him is Justina Nixon-Saintil, IBM’s Vice President of Corporate Social Responsibility and Chief Impact Officer. "We’re investing in the technical skills that will shape future workforces," she said, standing beside Hamilton in the paddock. "This isn’t charity. It’s economic strategy." And then there’s Jason Arthur, CEO of Mission 44, who sees the partnership as a force multiplier. "Collaboration is key," he noted. "IBM brings the platform. We bring the reach — and the passion. Together, we can turn race weekends into learning weekends."
How It Works — From Track to Classroom
Here’s how it unfolds: During the 2025 Formula 1 United States Grand PrixCircuit of the Americas, students from Austin-area high schools and community colleges will get hands-on access to AI simulations using real F1 telemetry data. They’ll analyze tire wear patterns, predict pit stop strategies, and model aerodynamic efficiency — all through IBM SkillsBuild’s interactive modules.
It’s not just for the lucky few in Austin. By 2026, these workshops will roll out to all 24 Formula 1 race locations worldwide. Think: a student in Tokyo, a young woman in São Paulo, a non-traditional learner in Manchester — all accessing the same curriculum, all learning from the same data that powers the fastest machines on earth.
Specialized content — including videos, quizzes, and project-based challenges — will be hosted on IBM SkillsBuild, a platform already used by over 1,000 institutions across 180 countries. Mission 44’s network, including Girlstart in Austin, will help distribute materials to girls and underrepresented communities. The goal? To make AI feel less like a buzzword and more like a tool they can hold, tweak, and own.
Why Formula 1? The Hidden Curriculum
Why not use robotics? Or space tech? Or smart cities? Because F1 is the perfect metaphor for the modern economy: fast, data-driven, precise, and unforgiving. Every millisecond counts. Every sensor matters. Every decision is backed by real-time analytics. And it’s thrilling.
"When you see a car cornering at 200 mph, and you realize that the team behind it is using AI to predict tire degradation before the driver even feels it — that’s not science fiction," said one IBM curriculum designer. "That’s Tuesday. And kids? They get it. They’re already watching F1 on YouTube. Now they’re going to build it."
The Bigger Picture: Skills by 2030
This partnership is one piece of IBM’s $1 billion global commitment to equip 30 million people with digital skills by December 31, 2030. Mission 44’s mission — "driving change so that every young person can thrive in school and access great careers in STEM" — aligns perfectly. But this isn’t just about IBM’s corporate goals. It’s about fixing a broken pipeline.
Right now, only 18% of U.S. computer science graduates are women. Only 11% are Black. In Europe, the numbers are similar. Meanwhile, AI job postings in the UK and Germany have doubled since 2022. The mismatch isn’t accidental. It’s systemic. And this initiative is designed to interrupt that pattern — by meeting students where they already are: at the track, on their phones, in their classrooms.
What’s Next?
The first wave of student activations ends on October 19, 2025, but the real work begins now. By early 2026, IBM and Mission 44 plan to release public impact metrics: how many students completed modules, how many pursued STEM degrees, how many landed internships. They’ll also pilot a teacher certification program to help educators integrate F1-based AI lessons into their curricula.
And if the pilot works? Don’t be surprised if, in 2027, you see a Formula 1 team hiring an AI analyst who first learned to code not in a Silicon Valley lab — but in a high school in Detroit, after watching a workshop at the Miami Grand Prix.
Frequently Asked Questions
How does this partnership help underrepresented students in STEM?
The program targets girls, Black and Latino students, and adult learners through Mission 44’s network, including partners like Girlstart in Austin. Materials are designed to be culturally relevant and accessible, with F1 as an engaging entry point. Early pilot data from IBM SkillsBuild shows that students who engage with real-world applications like motorsport are 40% more likely to complete advanced modules than those using generic tech curricula.
What specific AI skills will students learn?
Students will gain hands-on experience with predictive modeling, data visualization, sensor analytics, and cloud-based computing using real F1 telemetry datasets. They’ll learn to interpret tire temperature trends, optimize fuel strategies, and simulate aerodynamic performance — skills directly transferable to careers in automotive engineering, logistics, and AI development. No prior coding experience is required.
Why is this partnership tied to Formula 1 races?
F1 events draw massive global audiences, especially among younger demographics. By embedding learning experiences at race weekends, IBM and Mission 44 leverage the sport’s excitement to spark interest. The timing also allows students to connect classroom concepts to live data — like how teams adjust car setups in real time. This experiential learning boosts retention and career aspiration.
Is this program free? Who can join?
Yes, all content on IBM SkillsBuild is free. The program targets high school and university students, adult learners, and educators globally. No registration fees, no hardware requirements — just an internet connection. Mission 44 is working with schools and community centers to provide devices and Wi-Fi access in underserved areas, ensuring no student is left behind.
How does this compare to other tech-education initiatives in sports?
While other leagues have launched coding camps or VR experiences, this is the first to embed AI education directly into the operational data of elite motorsport. IBM’s platform is scalable across 180 countries, and Mission 44’s grassroots network ensures localized impact. No other partnership combines global reach, real-time data, and a focus on equity at this scale.
What’s the long-term goal of this partnership?
The ultimate goal is to create a pipeline of diverse, AI-literate talent ready for the next-generation workforce — not just in racing, but in healthcare, finance, and manufacturing. By 2030, IBM and Mission 44 aim to have directly impacted 1 million students worldwide, with measurable increases in STEM enrollment and job placement in AI-related fields among participants.
