Microsoft has followed the launch of its artificial intelligence venture with Sony by announcing a partnership with Adecco-owned training firm General Assembly to close skills gaps in AI as well as in related fields including cloud and data engineering, machine learning and data science. The aim of the initiative is to create standards and credentials for AI skills, upskill and reskill 15,000 workers by 2022, and create a pool of AI talent for the global workforce.
Citing World Economic Forum research indicating that up to 133 million new roles could be created by 2022 as a result of the new division of labour between humans, machines and algorithms, the partners said they intend to create 2,000 job transitions for workers into AI and machine learning roles in year one before training an additional 13,000 workers with AI-related skills across sectors over the next 3 years.
They added that the joint programme will focus on 3 core areas, namely, setting the standards for AI skills, developing scalable AI training solutions for companies, and creating a sustainable talent pool of workers with AI skills. New York-based GA will use its existing network of 22 campuses and the broader Adecco ecosystem to create a repeatable talent pipeline for the AI Talent Network, while Microsoft will be the founding member of GA's AI Standards Board.
