Microsoft is teaming up with General Assembly (GA) to bridge the skill gaps in modern technologies, including artificial intelligence (AI), cloud and data engineering, machine learning, data science, etc.
General Assembly is a leader in education that has transformed the careers of tens of thousands of individuals through pioneering and experiential education.
As part of the partnership, Microsoft and GA will upskill and reskill 15,000 workers over the next three years (by 2022). The companies will also develop industry-recognized credentials for AI skills. The ultimate aim is to create a pool of AI talent for the global workforce, the companies said.
Microsoft has already been focusing on closing AI skill gaps around the world. Last year, it launched a new program called Intelligent Cloud Hub to skill students in AI and cloud. Further, it signed an MoU with the Sikkim government in India to build new age tech capacity in government schools in the state.
In March this year, Microsoft opened the AI Business School to make companies AI-ready. Now, the tech giant seems to have taken the biggest step with GA partnership.
“As a technology company committed to driving innovation, we have a responsibility to help workers access the AI training they need to ensure they thrive in the workplace of today and tomorrow,” said Jean-Philippe Courtois, executive VP and president of Global Sales, Marketing and Operations at Microsoft.
“We are thrilled to combine our industry and technical expertise with General Assembly to help close the skills gap and ensure businesses can maximize their potential in our AI-driven economy.”
The new division of labour between humans, machines, and algorithms will create up to 133 million new roles by 2022, finds World Economic Forum. Microsoft and GA will together address this challenge by powering 2,000 job transitions for workers into AI and machine learning roles in the first year.
Going ahead, the companies will train 13,000 more workers with AI skills. The plan will be focused on three areas. First, set the standards for AI skills. Second, develop scalable AI training solutions for companies. Third, create a sustainable talent pool of workers with AI skills.
Also read: Microsoft wants to make AI more powerful with Machine Teaching concept
“Artificial intelligence is driving the greatest disruption to our global economy since industrialization, and Microsoft is an amazing partner as we develop solutions to empower companies and workers to meet that disruption head on,” said Jake Schwartz, CEO and co-founder of GA.
“At its core, GA has always been laser-focused on connecting what companies need to the skills that workers obtain, and we are excited to team up with Microsoft to tackle the AI skills gap.”
