Machine Learning for Everyone: May the Fourth 2026

Author(s):

Mark A. Tschopp

Abstract:

This technical note documents the 2026 “Machine Learning for Everyone” (ML4E) course, the sixth and final edition of a workforce development initiative designed to build foundational AI and ML literacy across the Army and DoW workforce. The course was delivered virtually over 5 days (April 29–May 5, 2026), with 374 registered participants and 296 live attendees who collectively logged approximately 3,000 h of participation. Post-course survey ratings averaged 4.63 out of 5.0 across eight items, with the instructor item at 4.95. Pre/post-knowledge assessments showed a mean score improvement from 53.6 to 76.5 on a 100-point scale where 50 represents random-chance performance. The course used a glass-box approach to ML instruction, demonstrating algorithms from first principles in Microsoft Excel so that participants could see how the math behind AI works rather than treating models as opaque tools. Across all six editions (2021–2026), the series engaged more than 3,375 registered participants from 327+ unique organizations, including over 2,300 Army participants across all 17 Army commands, with a measured 138% improvement in ML knowledge above random-chance performance.