Amazon has revealed its ambitious “AI Ready” program in an attempt to gain a competitive advantage in the talent battle against corporate behemoths like Microsoft and Google. The effort seeks to train at least two million people in basic to advanced artificial intelligence (AI) capabilities by 2025, including the use of generative AI technology.
Amazon acknowledges the transformative potential of AI in our generation and believes that preparing the workforce is essential for the technology to reach its full potential. As AI continues to infiltrate various industries, corporate retraining becomes not just a necessity but a strategic imperative.
Why it matters: Amazon’s move comes as the company seeks to bridge the gap in AI talent and generate interest in its generative AI efforts. With an increasing awareness across industries that AI could revolutionize job roles, the program reflects a broader corporate effort to equip workers with the skills required in the evolving landscape.
- The program offers eight online courses tailored to both beginners and experienced individuals with tech or tech-adjacent roles.
- Generative AI is being experimented with for tasks ranging from crafting marketing materials to writing software code and handling human-resources queries.
- The fast-paced nature of generative AI poses a challenge in determining what skills workers should learn and when they should undergo training.