Amazon has launched an ambitious initiative called “AI Ready,” featuring eight free AI and generative AI courses. This program is designed for business professionals and non-technical audiences, aiming to train 2 million people in AI by 2025. This move is a response to the high demand for AI skills and the potential for increased salaries in this field.
AI Ready Initiative: What is it?
The “AI Ready” initiative includes several components:
- Free Courses for Non-Technical Audiences: These courses are designed to provide a basic understanding of AI, its applications, and essential concepts.
- Scholarships for High School and University Students: In collaboration with Udacity, Amazon offers scholarships to foster AI education among younger generations.
- Partnership with Code.org: This collaboration aims to further extend the reach and impact of AI education.
The courses offered in the AI training series cover a range of topics, including generative AI, Amazon CodeWhisperer, prompt engineering for generative AI tools, low-code machine learning, building language models, Amazon Transcribe, and creating generative AI applications using Amazon Bedrock.
Read More: Amazon Upgrades Alexa with Advanced Generative AI.
The demand for AI skills is significant, with a study by AWS and Access Partnership revealing that 73% of employers prioritize hiring AI-skilled talent. However, three-quarters of these employers struggle to find the necessary AI expertise. Workers with AI skills are expected to earn up to 47% more in salaries. Additionally, 93% of businesses foresee using AI solutions across their organizations within the next five years.
What’s Next?
Amazon’s initiative not only addresses immediate industry needs but also shapes the future landscape of AI and its applications in business and society. This move follows Google’s launch of its own free AI courses in September.
This development reflects the growing emphasis on AI skills in the digital landscape and the importance of making AI education accessible to a broader audience.
