Amazon is introducing a fresh endeavor called “AI Ready” that provides complimentary educational courses on generative AI. This extension of Amazon’s existing AI skills training programs, which are based on AWS, encompasses a total of eight courses that delve into AI project management and development.
The Seattle-based tech giant, Amazon, has introduced a new curriculum to provide AI education to anyone who is willing to learn and acquire the necessary skills to succeed in the AI-powered tech industry. According to the company’s official blog post, these courses align with its ‘AI Ready’ commitment, which aims to increase access to general AI knowledge and create a more skilled and well-equipped workforce for the future. Amazon has already trained 21 million individuals in AWS cloud computing skills through its initiative and is now targeting 2 million participants in its AI courses by 2025.
In order to expand access to generic AI knowledge, Amazon is implementing various initiatives. These include new programs for adults and young learners, as well as the expansion of existing no-cost AI training initiatives. Amazon AWS is offering the AI Ready program, which consists of eight new and free courses on AI and Generative AI. Moreover, Amazon is awarding AWS Generative AI Scholarships to over 50,000 high school and university students worldwide, granting them access to a new Generative AI course on Udacity. Additionally, through a partnership with Code.org, Amazon aims to introduce students to the world of generative AI.
The course will provide individuals with a comprehensive understanding of generative AI, AI-related project planning, and the utilization of Amazon’s CodeWhisperer AI code generator. Furthermore, dedicated courses will focus on educating participants about AWS Machine Learning, language models, and Bedrock AI App Builder. This strategic approach positions Amazon’s AI technology as a significant contender among major competitors like Microsoft, OpenAI, and Google.
Amazon emphasizes the growing demand for individuals with AI knowledge in the job market. Companies are willing to offer higher salaries to individuals possessing these crucial skills. According to a recent study conducted by Amazon Web Services (AWS) and research firm Access Partnership, 73 percent of employers prioritize AI skills during the hiring process. However, despite this demand, three out of four employers struggle to find qualified AI professionals.
Furthermore, the research also discovered that artificial intelligence (AI) is anticipated to have an increasingly significant role in the workplace. In fact, 93 percent of businesses are expecting to incorporate AI solutions into their organizations within the next five years. This shift towards AI-powered business operations has resulted in a growing demand for professionals with AI skills, leading to substantial salary increases. Employers are now willing to offer up to 47 percent higher salaries to individuals who possess expertise in AI.
According to the official blog, Amazon is introducing AI Ready to assist individuals who are interested in learning about AI and capitalizing on the immense opportunities it presents. These initiatives are specifically designed to align with the current workforce and create pathways for future generations to thrive.
If you are keen on enrolling in Amazon’s complimentary courses, you can access the fundamentals of generative AI and Code Whisperer on the AWS Educate website. Additionally, the AWS Skills Builder website offers other free courses that cover various topics, including the utilization of Amazon’s Transcribe speech-to-text tool.