OpenAI often grabs the headlines, but Amazon has been making significant strides in the field of artificial intelligence (AI) across all its divisions. The company has been quietly working on AI projects in various sectors, such as using AI-powered robots in its warehouses. In an effort to attract new talent and advance the field of AI, Amazon has announced the launch of a free program called “AI Ready.” The program aims to provide generative AI training to two million people globally by 2025.
The AI Ready program consists of eight free courses, which will be accessible through Amazon’s learning website and will be open to non-Amazon employees as well. These courses are designed to teach people AI skills, including generative AI technology that powers ChatGPT and other language models. The program is tailored for both beginners and advanced users in tech and tech-adjacent roles. It includes three courses aimed at business and non-technical users, as well as five courses designed for developer and technical audiences.
In addition to the free courses, Amazon has also announced that it is providing Udacity scholarships valued at more than $12 million to over 50,000 high school and university students from underrepresented communities around the world. This initiative is part of Amazon’s efforts to make AI education accessible to a wider audience and to address the shortage of qualified individuals in the field of AI.
AWS VP of data and AI, Swami Sivasubramanian, emphasized the goal of AI Ready to help level the playing field of AI education and make it accessible to anyone with a desire to learn. The program aims to unlock the full potential of AI to tackle the world’s most challenging problems by providing education and training opportunities to individuals interested in AI.
The significance of AI technology has been demonstrated in various sectors, including medical research and retail customer assistance, and it has further gained attention with the launch of OpenAI’s ChatGPT virtual assistant. However, the complexity of AI systems has resulted in a shortage of qualified programmers, technicians, and professionals in the field. Amazon highlights that 73 percent of employers consider hiring AI-skilled talent a priority, but three out of four are unable to find qualified individuals.
Amazon’s goal with the AI Ready program is to “democratize” generative AI education, not only benefiting its own employees but also its enterprise customers who are seeking workers with engineering and other AI-related skills. Additionally, the program could assist AWS customers, as several of the courses are based on Amazon Web Services’ own platforms, including Bedrock AI and CodeWhisperer, a tool that automatically generates code.
In summary, Amazon’s initiatives in the field of AI signify the company’s commitment to advancing the field and addressing the shortage of qualified individuals in AI. The AI Ready program aims to make AI education accessible to a wider audience and empower individuals to develop essential AI skills. As AI continues to transform various industries and technologies, programs such as AI Ready are essential in cultivating the next generation of AI professionals and innovators.
