Amazon to provide free AI training to two million people by 2025

They will provide free AI training to two million people via the company’s ‘AI Ready’ initiative by 2025

AI Ready aims to unlock the potential of the technology by providing crucial AI training to boost proficiencies in adults and young learners.

The training will consist of three programmes:

• Eight new and free AI courses
• Amazon Web Services (AWS) Generative AI Scholarship
• A new collaboration with Code.org

The AI training announcement adds to Amazon’s $1.2bn investment into education and skills training.

The urgent need for AI skills

A recent AWS study found that AI skills are becoming increasingly important in many industries, and having them can boost employment opportunities.

The research revealed that 73% of employers believe AI skills are a priority, but they are currently unable to meet their AI talent needs.

Additionally, 93% of businesses estimate they will be using AI technologies across their organisation within the next five years.

Moreover, explorers say their workers could earn up to 47% more if they upskill in AI. Amazon’s AI Ready presents an exciting opportunity for people to broaden their skill sets and reap these benefits.

What will Amazon’s AI training cover?

Amazon will provide eight AI and generative AI training courses, building on AWS’ existing portfolio of over 80 free or low-cost AI resources.

AI training topics include:

• Introduction to generative AI
• Generative AI learning plan for decision-makers
• Introduction to Amazon CodeWhisperer
• Foundations of prompt engineering
• Low-code Machine Learning on AWS
• Amazon Transcribe
• Building Generative AI Applications using Amazing Bedrock

Commenting on the AI Ready announcement, Josh Boer, Director at Tech Consultancy VeUP, commented: “Building workforces that are technically skilled in areas such as Artificial Intelligence will play a central role in capitalising for fast-growing businesses, so it is great to see large corporations such as Amazon prioritise accessible training.

“As tech-powered businesses continue to grow and organisations focus on their digital transformations, funding, training, and educating opportunities must be kept top of mind.

“AI and cloud services offer huge benefits to businesses, boosting innovation and offering services that can be tailored to a business’s specific needs. AWS, in particular, offers businesses the ability to increase agility, drive down costs, and promote innovation, tapping into a suite of tailored services catering to their unique organisational requirements and working in tandem with new AI solutions.

“For the benefits of emerging technology to be enjoyed, we must ensure our workforces are fully equipped with the knowledge and skills they need, and only then can the benefits be maximised.”

Amazon invests $12m in scholarships

AWS is also investing $12m to provide Udacity scholarships to over 50,000 high school and university students from underrepresented communities worldwide.

Once completed, students will receive certification from Udacity to demonstrate their AI training to future employers.

Amazon is also launching an educational collaboration with Code.org to launch Hour of Code Dance Party: AI Edition.

During this hour-long introduction to coding an AI, students will develop virtual music videos to hit songs, enabling them to learn the basics of generative AI and large language models.