Technology

Amazon Introduces 'AI Ready' Initiative to Train 2 Million in AI Skills by 2025

Published November 20, 2023

Amazon has unveiled a groundbreaking initiative, 'AI Ready,' to democratize education in artificial intelligence (AI). In an ambitious move, they plan to offer free AI training to 2 million individuals by the year 2025. This initiative comes alongside findings that indicate a considerable demand in the job market for AI expertise, with the potential for such skillsets to boost salary prospects by up to 47%.

Amazon Empowers Workforce with AI Training

To bridge the AI skills gap, Amazon Web Services (AWS) is now introducing eight new free courses in AI and generative AI designed to support professionals seeking to enhance their capabilities in this cutting-edge domain. These training courses cover a broad range of skill levels, catering to business leaders as well as technology specialists, and aim to align with roles that are currently in high demand in the job market.

Generating Opportunities in AI Education

Amazon is not only focusing on upskilling adults but is also ensuring that younger generations and students from underrepresented communities have an opportunity in AI education. This is being achieved through scholarships worth over $12 million, delivered via the AWS Generative AI Scholarship program. Through this initiative in partnership with online learning platform Udacity, high school and college students can gain access to AI courses and earn certifications that they can present to potential employers.

Global Expansion of Computer Science Education

The commitment does not stop here, as Amazon teams up with Code.org to introduce an engaging and accessible coding activity called 'Hour of Code Dance Party: AI Edition.' This initiative, targeting students from kindergarten through 12th grade during Computer Science Education Week, strives to provide an entertaining way to learn about generative AI through the creation of a virtual music video. To aid this effort, AWS is also providing significant cloud computing credits to Code.org.

Forward-Looking AI Education Investment

Amazon's 'AI Ready' project complements AWS’s previous commitment to freely train 29 million people in cloud computing skills by 2025—a goal in which they are already making significant strides, having trained over 21 million individuals to date. This educational commitment reflects the company's long-term vision to widen the accessibility and understanding of AI and cloud technologies across the globe.

About Amazon and AWS

Amazon, known for its customer-centric approach, has distinguished itself as a leader in numerous technological areas since the launch of Amazon Web Services in 2006. AWS, recognized for their extensive cloud services, supports a wide variety of customer infrastructure needs and actively drives innovation in AI, machine learning, and a multitude of other technological arenas, serving millions of diverse customers worldwide.

Amazon, AI, Training