Amazon has announced the launch of a new program called “AI Ready” which aims to provide free training in artificial intelligence (AI) skills. This initiative is designed to close the growing talent gap in the competitive tech landscape where companies like Microsoft and OpenAI are actively recruiting. The program seeks to educate and train up to 2 million individuals by 2025 through its eight specialized courses, covering topics such as generative AI, prompt engineering, and low-code machine learning on Amazon Web Services (AWS).
The initiative is strategically tailored to meet the rising demand for AI talent, with employers willing to pay significantly higher salaries for individuals trained in this field. Moreover, the courses are designed to promote Amazon’s own AI products. To attract learners, Amazon highlights the scarcity of qualified professionals in the AI field, with 73% of employers struggling to find qualified individuals. The company aims to “democratize” AI education, not only benefiting its employees but also meeting the demands of enterprise customers seeking workers with essential skills.
The courses are accessible through the AWS Educate site, with additional courses available on the AWS Skill Builder site. As part of the initiative, Amazon plans to provide Udacity scholarships to more than 50,000 high school and university students, offering them the chance to earn a certificate upon successful completion. This move is part of Amazon’s commitment to make AI and machine learning skills training accessible to everyone.
The program reflects the broader trend of increasing demand for AI skills and the need for additional training for workers to adapt to these changes. Following the scarcity of highly skilled AI talent, top tech companies have been enhancing salaries and benefits to retain employees in this competitive job market. Amazon, for instance, increased its base pay limit for corporate employees to $350,000 in February.
In conclusion, Amazon’s “AI Ready” program is set to have far-reaching effects on the training and development of AI skills in the years to come, reflecting the increasing importance of this field in today’s tech-driven world. This innovative initiative is poised to revolutionize the way AI skills are learned and developed, benefitting individuals, organizations, and ultimately, the broader tech industry as a whole.
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