AI offers tremendous potential to empower workers around the world – but only if everyone, everywhere has the skills to use it. 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.
To begin addressing this need, today we are launching a new AI Skills Initiative to help people and communities around the world learn how to harness the power of AI. The Microsoft AI Skills Initiative includes new, free coursework developed with LinkedIn, including the first Professional Certificate on Generative AI in the online learning market; a new open global grant challenge in coordination with data.org to uncover new ways of training workers on generative AI; and greater access to free digital learning events and resources for everyone to improve their AI fluency.
As noted in Microsoft’s recent Work Trend Index, AI is uniquely poised to create a whole new way of working just as the pace of information work is outpacing our ability to keep up. A whopping 62% of survey respondents said they struggle with too much time spent searching for information in their workday. And while 49% of people say they’re worried AI will replace their jobs, even more—70%—would delegate as much work as possible to AI to lessen their workloads. To that end, our new AI Skills Initiative aims to help workers around the world stay ahead of emerging skills gaps and take advantage of these new technologies.
Here’s how:
Revolutionizing skills training – the Generative AI Skills Grant Challenge
While much focus has been on the potential for AI to drive efficiency and unleash human creativity, AI also represents a sea change for how people can learn. We know the demand for skills training — whether in the cybersecurity field or baseline digital skills – is massive and continues to grow. We’ll need to revolutionize how we train people, and we believe that AI skills can help. We’re just starting to explore the possibilities. And that’s incredibly exciting – and daunting.
That’s why, alongside data.org, Microsoft’s AI for Good Lab, and GitHub, we’re launching the Generative AI Skills Grant Challenge, an open grant program to explore, develop, and implement how nonprofit, social enterprise, and research or academic institutions can train and empower the workforce to use generative AI. This global grant will support organizations driving skilling and economic growth, especially those focusing on fair and community-led implementations of generative AI with historically marginalized populations around the world. In addition to financial support, the awardees will receive access to a cohort experience, Microsoft events, Azure-based cloud computing resources as well as data training and technical guidance from Microsoft and GitHub experts.
We strongly encourage nonprofit organizations, social enterprises, and academic or research institutions dedicated to upskilling opportunities in generative AI to apply. The grant is now accepting applications, with a deadline for initial proposals on August 15, 2023, and we’ll announce the winners this Fall. To learn more about the new grant visit data.org/challenge.
New, free skilling content
As part of our Skills for Jobs program, we’re partnering with LinkedIn Learning to launch the first Professional Certificate on Generative AI in the online learning market. Through this new coursework, workers will learn introductory concepts of AI, including a look at responsible AI frameworks, and receive a Career Essentials certificate when they pass the assessment. This Professional Certificate on Generative AI is currently available in English and will launch in Spanish, Portuguese, French, German, Simplified Chinese, and Japanese over the coming months on LinkedIn Learning. As with the six other Career Essentials Professional Certificates offered with our Skills for Jobs program, this coursework will be unlocked and available for free through 2025.
We’ll also launch a trainer toolkit for teachers, trainers, and facilitators who, as we know from the past five years of our skilling work, are critical in providing skilling resources and training to local communities. The toolkit will include downloadable, bite-sized content for trainers, including a new AI course built for educators by Microsoft Education and content on the practical uses of AI. Additionally, we are releasing the Microsoft Learn AI Skills Challenge, a free technical training challenge to learn essential AI skills with Microsoft products and services, beginning on July 17th – sign up HERE.
Unlock Your Potential with Microsoft’s Free AI Training Course
Are you ready to delve into the fascinating world of Artificial Intelligence (AI)? Microsoft, in collaboration with LinkedIn, is offering an incredible opportunity to learn AI skills for free. The AI Skills Initiative, part of Microsoft’s Skills for Jobs program, aims to equip individuals with the knowledge and expertise to thrive in the digital economy.
Introducing the Course: “Career Essentials in Generative AI by Microsoft and LinkedIn”
Prepare yourself for a transformative learning experience with the course titled “Career Essentials in Generative AI by Microsoft and LinkedIn.” This course comprises five captivating instructional videos, totaling almost four hours of immersive content. Each video is carefully designed to provide you with valuable insights and practical skills in the field of AI.
The training videos cover the following topics:
- Introduction to Artificial Intelligence
- Unveiling the Magic of Generative AI
- Discovering the Evolution of Thoughtful Online Search through Generative AI
- Streamlining Your Work with Microsoft Bing Chat
- Navigating the Ethical Landscape in the Age of Generative AI
Unleash Your Potential with a Professional Certificate
Upon completing all the instructional videos, you’ll be ready to take the exam and earn a professional certificate in generative AI from Microsoft. This certificate not only validates your newfound expertise but also enhances your professional profile on LinkedIn, making it visible to potential employers and industry leaders.
The Urgent Demand for AI Skills
Companies worldwide have identified AI skills as a critical priority for their training programs. In response to this demand, Microsoft’s AI Skills Initiative aims to bridge the gap by empowering individuals with the knowledge and experience necessary to leverage AI technologies effectively and responsibly.
Looking Towards the Future
Microsoft’s commitment to empowering individuals through education and innovation is unwavering. As part of the ongoing Skills for Jobs program, the AI Skills Initiative is just the beginning. Stay tuned for exciting updates, new partnerships, and groundbreaking ideas that will continue to shape the future of AI.
Microsoft’s President and Vice Chair, Brad Smith, emphasizes the tremendous potential of AI: “AI offers perhaps even more potential for the good of humanity than any invention that has preceded it.” By equipping individuals with AI skills, we can unlock this potential and create a brighter future for all.
Don’t miss this opportunity to embark on an exhilarating AI journey. Join Microsoft and LinkedIn today to expand your horizons, gain valuable skills, and make a mark in the world of AI.
Source: LinkedIn
