Fybe and Bertie County Cooperative Extension Team Up for Second Public-Private Partnership; Begin Artificial Intelligence (AI) Education Series

Fybe and Bertie County Cooperative Extension Team Up for Second Public-Private Partnership; Begin Artificial Intelligence (AI) Education Series

WINDSOR, N.C. – March 9, 2026 – March 26th kicks off Fybe and Bertie County Cooperative Extension’s second partnership effort: a four-part Lunch and Learn series designed to demystify how Artificial Intelligence (AI) is shaping life, the economy, and opportunity in rural communities. The series also aims to equip participants with practical skills to use AI tools responsibly and help them recognize AI-generated content so they can better navigate and avoid being misled by misinformation and disinformation. The event will be held at the Bertie Cooperative Extension, which is housed in the same building as the Bertie County Library.

“With the massive success of DigiCon in 2024, Fybe is excited to renew this partnership to offer additional digital inclusion opportunities to those in our service area. Artificial intelligence is by far the fastest-growing, most misunderstood concept in the world of digital skills,” said Bo Coughlin, President of Fybe’s parent company, eNCore.

With support from the North Carolina Department of Information Technology (NCDIT), Camber Foundation, and Older Adults Technology Services (OATS) Senior Planet, Bertie’s NC Digital Futures Agent, Rebecca Jinnette, will lead the series. The curriculum features inclusive programming created by Older Adults Technology Services (OATS), a charitable offshoot of the American Association of Retired Persons (AARP), ensuring that residents of all ages can navigate the digital landscape with confidence.

“The vision of Extension’s NC Digital Futures Program is that, in North Carolina, every individual on a farm, in a household, and in business will have the digital skills necessary to EARN, LEARN, BE WELL, and LIVE WELL,” said Kenneth Sherin, Community and Economic Development Program Manager for NCSU Cooperative Extension. “By partnering with Fybe, we hope to further close the skills gap for local residents and ensure they aren’t just spectators in the tech revolution, but active participants who understand how to use these tools safely and effectively.”

“Fybe is dedicated to supporting hyperlocal causes in every corner of our service territory—not just for infrastructure needs, but for digital literacy and education,” Coughlin continued. “Artificial intelligence is no longer a futuristic concept reserved for big cities; it is a practical tool that, when understood, can level the playing field for rural businesses, students, and families.”

The event is free, but space is limited. A catered lunch will be provided at no cost to attendees. You do not have to be a Bertie resident to attend.

• Where: The Community Room at 104 Lancaster Avenue, Windsor, NC 27983
• When: March 26, 2026, from 11:30 A.M. to 1:00 P.M.
• Registration is open now: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/digital-skills-lunch-learn-exploring-ai-tickets-1984506113206
• Registration Deadline: March 19th

For registration assistance: If you need help with the online Eventbrite registration process please call Rebecca Jinnette at 252-794-6170 or send her an email at rjinnet@ncsu.edu.

Save the date: Our next three Lunch & Learns in the Exploring AI series will take place from 11:30 A.M.–1:00 P.M. on June 18, September 17, and December 17, 2026.

In compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act, NC Cooperative Extension and Fybe will honor requests for reasonable accommodations made by individuals with disabilities. Please direct accommodation requests to Rebecca Jinnette at 252-794-6170, rjinnet@ncsu.edu. Requests can be served more effectively if notice is provided at least 10 days before the event.

ABOUT N.C. COOPERATIVE EXTENSION

N.C. Cooperative Extension is a strategic partnership of NC State University, N.C. A&T State University, USDA’s National Institute of Food and Agriculture, and local governments statewide. Extension professionals in all 100 counties, and with the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians, connect millions of North Carolinians with

research-based information and technology from the universities. Educational programs specialize in agriculture, food and nutrition, 4-H youth development, community development, and the environment. Find your local center at www.ces.ncsu.edu/local-county-center.

About Fybe

Fybe delivers broadband internet and voice services to residential and business customers throughout rural North Carolina.

Fybe is also a founding member of eNCore, a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization formed in partnership with MCNC and Roanoke Cooperative to improve the technology, economic and social landscape of North Carolina. eNCore and its member organizations aim to bridge the digital divide in North Carolina by empowering overlooked, unserved and underserved communities with technology resources needed to fully participate in today’s digital economy.

At Fybe, we believe every community deserves the digital tools to thrive and are committed to building a network that expands access to education, healthcare, and more.