Alexander Lewis 
Nov 22, 2023
Amazon has launched the “AI Ready” initiative, aiming to bridge the AI skills gap by offering free training programs catering to individuals without a tech background. This move comes as the demand for AI talent skyrockets in various industries.
One of the newly unveiled courses under this initiative is the Amazon Web Services (AWS) Generative AI Scholarship, in collaboration with the online learning platform Udacity. Specifically designed for traditionally marginalised students, this scholarship program seeks to widen access to AI education.
Amazon's partnership extends to Code.org, jointly crafting diverse courses. These offerings span introductory sessions on prompt engineering, building large language models, and delving into low-code machine learning.
Swami Sivasubramanian, Vice President of Data and AI at AWS, emphasised the unparalleled transformative impact of AI in today's world. Stressing the importance of democratising AI education, Sivasubramanian highlighted the goal of AI Ready to level the educational playing field.
Highlighting the increasing significance of AI skills, recent AWS research revealed that 73% of surveyed employers consider these abilities a crucial asset for candidates. Moreover, the study suggested a potential salary boost of up to 40% for those equipped with AI proficiency.
The Oxford Internet Institute's independent study echoes these findings, affirming the growing demand and impact of AI skills in the job market.
According to GlobalData's recurring surveys spanning from 2021 to 2023, AI continues to hold the top spot as the most disruptive technology across various sectors. Their recent executive briefing pinpointed generative AI as the fastest-growing tech of 2023, poised to revolutionise businesses in all industries.
Presently, generative AI operates at roughly 80% accuracy, but GlobalData's forecast anticipates reaching a staggering 99% accuracy within the next decade. This projected leap underscores the imminent disruptive potential of AI in reshaping industries worldwide.
