Microsoft and LinkedIn partner to offer free generative AI certificate courses

This initiative is designed to equip individuals with crucial AI knowledge and promote responsible AI practices. Upon finishing the coursework, participants will receive a Career Essentials certificate, making it an appealing option for those interested in obtaining a professional certification in Generative AI.

The demand for AI talent is growing worldwide, and India has positioned itself as a leader in this field, with the second-largest pool of AI talent globally. Impressive enough, India excels in both the penetration of AI skills and the concentration of AI professionals.

However, despite having around 420,000 professionals specializing in AI, machine learning, and big data analytics, there is still a significant gap of 51 percent between the demand for such talent and its availability in the country.

Recognizing the transformative power of AI and acknowledging that the fast-paced nature of information work is outpacing our capacity to cope, Microsoft has taken a proactive approach to address this issue. Their campaign focuses on empowering individuals with AI knowledge.

In the last couple of years, Microsoft asserts that it has provided AI training to approximately 70,000 female students hailing from Tier II and III towns. The goal is to narrow the knowledge gap and promote the inclusive adoption of AI.

Gunjan Patel, the Director and Head of Philanthropies at Microsoft India, emphasizes the vital role of AI skills in the training strategies of companies. These skills rank as the third highest priority, alongside analytical and creative thinking. 

Patel acknowledges the empowering potential of AI for workers and emphasizes the need to ensure that everyone has the required skills to harness AI effectively. The AI Skills Initiative is envisioned as a significant milestone in this direction, aiming to foster a new era of technological innovation by equipping individuals with the necessary AI skills.

Since the introduction of OpenAI’s ChatGPT in November 2022, generative AI has gained significant popularity. This state-of-the-art chatbot service has both impressed and raised concerns among users due to its exceptional capabilities. While many people utilize it to streamline their tasks, there are apprehensions about the potential displacement of jobs since AI can complete certain tasks much faster than humans.

However, AI is being widely adopted globally for diverse applications, leading to improved efficiency and productivity. Consequently, there is a growing demand for AI specialists, with companies attaching great importance to their expertise.

Updated: 01 Jul 2023, 11:03 AM IST