Facility will provide students with a free seven month-course to learn AI development skills
Elly Yates-Roberts |
Microsoft France has opened a new artificial intelligence (AI) school located at the company’s offices in Paris.
The school will see 24 students from a variety of backgrounds embark on a free, intensive seven month course to learn AI development skills.
The course will prepare participants for future careers in AI and will be followed by 12 months of employment at participating companies.
“France has all the assets needed to be an AI powerhouse, thanks to the quality of its researchers and engineers,” said Carlo Purassanta, president of Microsoft France. “If companies want to accelerate the development of strong projects, we must train AI experts.”
“I am very proud to be able to welcome our 24 students into our AI School, while preparing them for exciting careers,” he added. “This is a pioneering project – a test drive under real conditions – which is only in its infancy!”
Experts predict that 85% of jobs in 2030 do not currently exist and a study released by the United Nations shows that AI could help develop 21 million jobs in the future.
The students participating in Microsoft’s AI School have been selected in conjunction with Microsoft’s partner Simplon, a social enterprise that strives for equal opportunities in education and employment by providing free digital training for people from all backgrounds.
The course itself will cover the preparation and processing of AI data, the use of cognitive APIs, development and more, in addition to crucial soft skills such as creativity, collaboration and project management.
Following the seven-month course and 12-month employment period at participating companies, AI School students will have earned a number of professional qualifications, recognised by France’s Ministry of Employment.
“The Microsoft AI school is a demonstration of how important a tool technology is for inclusion and growth,” said Mounir Mahjoubi, France’s secretary of state for digital affairs, at the AI School’s opening. “France has all the assets needed to become a major technological power, provided that all our citizens are armed to benefit from the skills necessary to develop this new economic deal.”