Amber Hickman |
Microsoft is joining forces with LinkedIn and GitHub to launch a new artificial intelligence skills initiative to help people prepare for the digital workplace.
The Microsoft AI Skills Initiative includes free coursework developed with LinkedIn that will cover introductory concepts of AI and responsible AI frameworks. Participants will also be able to take the first professional certificate on generative AI in the online learning market.
Teachers and trainers will also be able to access a trainer toolkit from 17 July, enabling them to deliver resources to local communities.
In addition, Microsoft is launching the Generative AI Skills Grant Challenge in collaboration with data.org, Microsoft’s AI for Good Lab and GitHub. The grant will support nonprofit organisations, social enterprises and academic institutions in training and empowering their workforces in the use of generative AI. Awardees of the grant will have access to Microsoft events, Azure-based cloud computing resources, and data training and technical guidance from Microsoft and GitHub experts.
“AI offers tremendous potential to empower workers around the world – but only if everyone, everywhere has the skills to use it,” said Kate Behncken, corporate vice president of Microsoft Philanthropies in the announcement posted on LinkedIn. “It’s little surprise that, according to the World Economic Forum, AI skills represent the third-highest priority for companies’ training strategies, right alongside analytical and creative thinking.”