Microsoft has introduced a new AI Skills Initiative aimed at educating individuals and organizations worldwide on how to tap into the wide potential of AI to improve their lives and the community at large.
As part of its Skills for Jobs initiative, Microsoft has released entirely novel free training courses developed in partnership with LinkedIn, as well as a grant challenge in partnership with data.org to encourage the development of innovative approaches to the training, upskilling, and reskilling of employees in generative AI.
A new learning route covering fundamentals of generative AI has been released by Microsoft and LinkedIn. This new coursework is the first professional credential in Generative AI available on the online learning market, and upon completion, employees will be awarded a Career Essentials certificate.
According to Microsoft India’s Director and Head of Philanthropies Gunjan Patel: “AI Skills Represent the Third Highest Priority for Companies’ Training Strategies.”
The potential of AI to enhance worker agency is immense, but we must equip everyone with the knowledge to make use of that potential. A new era has begun, and it will be built upon by the AI Skills Initiative and the subsequent wave of technological advancements.
This new project complements Microsoft’s previous Skills for Jobs initiatives in the areas of cybersecurity and sustainability by continuing the company’s endeavour to provide digital skills to people all across the globe.
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The majority are willing to leverage AI potentials
Microsoft is taking the next step in that effort with the AI Skills Initiative, the first in a series of commitments the company is making toward helping people all across the world accomplish more with generative AI.
Microsoft’s latest Work Trend Index indicates that the rapid speed of information work presents an opportunity for AI to usher in a whole new way of conducting work. Findings from the Index in India show that 76 percent of employees there report having trouble finding the time and energy to complete their tasks.
Even while 74% of respondents are concerned that AI would replace their employment, 83% would still be willing to outsource as much work as possible to AI if it meant they could spend less time on it.
Therefore, Microsoft plans to launch its AI Skills Initiative to assist employees in avoiding falling behind the curve, reduce digital debt (caused by an overload of data, knowledge, and constant connectivity), and unleash their creativity.
Experts advise employees to acquire artificial intelligence training
Awardees will have access to Azure-based cloud computing resources
An open grants programme is being launched by Microsoft, data.org, Microsoft’s AI for Good Lab, and GitHub to explore, design, and execute generative AI training and empowerment initiatives for the workforce at nonprofits, social enterprises, and research and educational institutions.
This global grant will help fund initiatives that provide economic and employment opportunities for those who have been historically marginalised by using generative AI in a fair and community-led manner.
Awardees will not only get financial support but will also be given the opportunity to participate in a cohort experience and attend Microsoft events, as well as have access to Azure-based cloud computing resources, data training, and technical mentoring from Microsoft and GitHub professionals. The details of a brand-new open grant competition may be found at data.org/challenge.
