- Amazon is rolling out an artificial intelligence training initiative to help employees enhance crucial skills amid a scarcity of AI expertise in the business sector.
- A study conducted by Amazon Web Services and the research organization Access Partnership revealed that nearly 75% of employers have identified the acquisition of AI-related skills as their primary focus.
- Nevertheless, 75% of companies emphasizing the recruitment of AI-proficient personnel have encountered challenges in fulfilling their AI skill requirements.
In response to the scarcity of AI talents in the corporate world, Amazon (AMZN) has initiated an artificial intelligence (AI) skills training program to support staff members in cultivating vital competencies.
Under the “Artificial Ready” scheme, the e-commerce giant has committed to delivering complimentary AI skill training to two million individuals globally by 2025.
As per a study by Amazon Web Services and Access Partnership, 73% of employers prioritize the recruitment of AI-skilled individuals, yet 75% of these organizations admit to facing difficulties in meeting their skill demands. Employers have also indicated that by upskilling in AI, they anticipate a potential increase in earnings by up to 47%.
Apart from Amazon, McKinsey has highlighted other impediments to securing AI talents, emphasizing that “the shortage of skilled expertise has persistently hindered the advancement of various high-tech sectors, including AI.”
Swami Sivasubramanian, the Vice President of Data and AI at AWS, emphasized in a statement that “to fully leverage AI’s capabilities in tackling the world’s most pressing issues, we must make AI education accessible to all individuals eager to learn.”
Amazon is offering eight free AI and generative AI (GenAI) courses and scholarships to over 50,000 high school and university students in collaboration with Code.org, a non-profit organization dedicated to promoting computer science education.
With a substantial investment, Amazon has supported Anthropic, while tech giants such as Google’s parent company Alphabet (GOOGL), Microsoft (MSFT), and Meta (META) are intensifying their efforts to strengthen their foothold in the AI domain.
Amazon’s shares experienced a 0.7% surge on Monday, marking a 70% year-to-date increase.
