Laura Hyde |
Microsoft has entered a multi-year partnership with educational services company, Pearson. The partnership aims to address the issue of skilling people for the era of AI, a concern the two firms believe is “one of the top challenges facing organisations globally”.
The partnership aims to prepare the current and future workforce across industries by providing employers, workers and learners with new AI-powered products and services. The partnership with Microsoft will enable Pearson to personalise its education plans using Microsoft’s Azure Cloud and AI tools for millions of learners (at different stages of learning) across the globe.
Pearson and Microsoft will collaborate to create new AI credentials and certifications designed to help people develop AI proficiency and technical skills. The two companies will also collaborate on a series of copilots, agents and AI tools targeted at helping people develop skills, such as English language learning, as well as identify skills gaps. This will enable joint innovation and go-to-market activities.
Microsoft will extend its current partnership with Pearson VUE, a provider of Microsoft Cloud and Office certifications, until 2029, which will open the credentials to additional learners and workers around the world.
“AI is driving a true revolution in education and work, and we must reinvent the way people learn to meet this crucial moment,” said Omar Abbosh, CEO of Pearson. “Partnering with Microsoft means we can reach more learners than ever before. By blending Microsoft’s AI leadership and Pearson’s trusted enterprise skilling and learning services, we can bring enterprise learners precisely what they need to forge ahead in their careers and help them to realise the life they imagine. This new chapter with Microsoft is yet another way we are building on our commitment to expand AI in our products and sharpen our focus on the enterprise market. Importantly, it reflects the opportunity ahead for Pearson and the people we serve.”
The partnership will also enable Pearson to roll out Azure Cloud capabilities and AI tools across its own workforce following a pilot of Microsoft 365 Copilot. The company is committed to introducing AI tools to its workforce to “enhance efficiency, creativity, productivity and drive better operational performance”.
“The speed and scale of today’s AI innovation present an opportunity for organisations across industries to accelerate AI Transformation,” said Judson Althoff, executive vice president and chief commercial officer at Microsoft. “As AI investments increase, the demand for training and support to enable effective and responsible use of AI has never been greater. We are thrilled to partner with Pearson to help global enterprises develop learning experiences that empower employees with the AI skills needed to help advance their careers and achieve more.”
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