With generative AI dominating the tech landscape, companies must ensure that the people they employ have the skills necessary to navigate the technology. That’s one reason Microsoft now offers free Generative AI skill training courses on LinkedIn. The company is also launching a global grant program and trainer toolkit to encourage learning.
These initiatives are meant to solidify further Microsoft’s position at the center of the generative AI boom. It’s no secret that Microsoft is fighting hard with rivals like Amazon and Google for a larger slice of the pie in the new field of artificial intelligence. Moreover, the company is also working to promote awareness about the ethical challenges and opportunities presented by the rapidly evolving field.
According to a recent Goldman Sachs report, 300 million jobs worldwide stand to be impacted by artificial intelligence and automation. According to Colette Stallbaumer, general manager for generative AI at Microsoft, it’s essential to equip workers with the skills to work alongside the technology. Stallbaumer spoke with CNBC Make It in a virtual interview on Wednesday.
She said that while remuneration is always a factor when professionals decide where to land their subsequent roles, she sees more and more workers taking control of their careers and using skills as “building blocks to design the future of their jobs.”
To that end, she believes that AI’s rise will lead to new job creation. She explained that any massive technological shift, such as the PC switch to the internet, has inevitably led to new types of jobs. This is how she also expects the rise of generative AI to play out.
Microsoft’s new courses are a great way to help workers gain a foundational understanding of the technology. Still, it’s also essential for people to consider how AI will impact their jobs in the long run and what they need to do to stay ahead of the curve. For example, she explained that employees should focus on getting better at thinking creatively to ensure they don’t lose their edge.
In addition to the new courses, Microsoft is launching a global grant program to support the efforts of nonprofit organizations in helping people learn AI. The grant will offer qualifying applicants financial support, collaborative learning, and data training opportunities. The company is also launching a trainer toolkit that includes downloadable, bite-sized content for teachers and other trainers in their local communities.
While the generative AI courses on LinkedIn are available now, the trainer toolkit will only be available in English initially. It will launch in Spanish, French, German, and Simplified Chinese over the coming months. In addition to these courses, Microsoft is introducing new training for its Azure cloud computing platform. The new Azure ML training will provide a comprehensive introduction to Machine Learning, including an overview of the different machine learning models and the fundamentals of data science.
