LEUVEN, Belgium - Cisco (NASDAQ:CSCO), in collaboration with Accenture (NYSE:ACN), Eightfold, Google (NASDAQ:GOOGL), IBM (NYSE: NYSE:IBM), Indeed, Intel (NASDAQ:INTC), Microsoft (NASDAQ:MSFT), and SAP, announced the formation of the AI-Enabled Information and Communication Technology (ICT) Workforce Consortium. The group aims to address the impact of artificial intelligence on technology jobs and develop strategies for reskilling and upskilling workers.
The Consortium, which includes advisory support from a range of organizations such as the American Federation of Labor and Congress of Industrial Organizations and Khan Academy, was catalyzed by the U.S.-EU Trade and Technology Council Talent for Growth Task Force. The initiative is a response to the rapid evolution of AI and its implications for the workforce.
The immediate goal of the Consortium is to produce a report that offers actionable insights for both business leaders and workers, focusing on the roles most likely to be influenced by AI advancements. The report will provide guidance on reskilling and upskilling pathways, aiming to equip workers with the necessary skills for AI-enabled environments.
Cisco and its partners have set ambitious goals to train millions of individuals globally in AI and digital skills over the next decade. Cisco alone aims to train 25 million people by 2032, while IBM has committed to skilling 30 million by 2030. Intel has pledged to empower 30 million people with AI skills by 2030, and Microsoft plans to certify 10 million people from underserved communities by 2025. SAP and Google have also announced significant investments in upskilling initiatives.
The Consortium will initially assess the impact of AI on 56 specific ICT job roles. This evaluation will consider the top ICT job titles with the highest volume of job postings in the United States and five of the largest European countries by ICT workforce numbers. The findings will be used to recommend training programs that are inclusive and beneficial to a wide range of stakeholders, including students, current IT workers, and employers.
The U.S. Secretary of Commerce, Gina Raimondo, expressed support for the Consortium's efforts, highlighting the importance of preparing the workforce for AI-driven changes in the labor market.
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