Microsoft Introduces Gratis AI Skill Education for the Workforce of Tomorrow [July 2023]

Microsoft and LinkedIn have joined forces to launch an ambitious AI Skills Initiative, aiming to democratize AI education and make it accessible to all, regardless of geographical location, socio-economic background, or professional expertise.

The initiative offers a free Professional Certificate in Generative AI, a deep dive into the world of generative AI that aims to elucidate foundational concepts of AI. This certificate will be available until 2025 as part of Microsoft's Skills for Jobs program, reflecting a drive to make AI education accessible to a broader audience.

AI-powered predictive analytics are at the heart of this initiative, helping identify future skill requirements in the job market. This ensures that the skills acquired are relevant and valuable in the evolving workforce landscape.

The course, planned to be released in multiple languages over the coming months, will provide personalized learning pathways, predictive analytics, gamification of learning, and make skills training scalable and accessible. AI-powered virtual reality (VR) and augmented reality (AR) experiences offer immersive learning styles, providing practical experience in a controlled and risk-free environment.

Microsoft's partnership with LinkedIn is significant, as LinkedIn brings insights into current job market trends, popular skill sets, and future job prospects, making the course relevant to the job market.

The AI Skills Initiative champions a more equitable AI landscape, where everyone has the opportunity to acquire AI skills and leverage them for personal and professional growth. In partnership with data.org, Microsoft is launching a global grant challenge, the Generative AI Skills Grant Challenge, to discover and support novel approaches to generative AI training.

The Generative AI Skills Grant Challenge invites nonprofit organizations, social enterprises, and academic or research institutions dedicated to upskilling opportunities in generative AI to submit their proposals. Selected organizations will receive not just financial support but a wealth of resources and guidance to implement their training programs effectively.

Upon successfully passing the assessment, learners will receive a Career Essentials certificate, a credential that can enhance their professional profile and boost their career prospects in the AI-driven job market. The AI Skills Initiative seeks to educate the global workforce about AI, offering resources and training to empower individuals to leverage AI effectively in their professional lives.

The initiative aims to democratize AI education, with a special focus on marginalized communities. By making AI knowledge accessible, the AI Skills Initiative is ensuring that the benefits of AI advancement are not restricted to a privileged few but are shared broadly across society.