Microsoft pledges to train 3m people in AI skills in Saudi Arabia by 2030
The company says it has already recorded more than one million enrolments through its AI academy with the Saudi Data and AI Authority
Microsoft has announced an expansion of its artificial intelligence training efforts in Saudi Arabia, aiming to help a further three million people acquire AI skills by 2030.
The commitment was made at the Microsoft AI Tour in Riyadh and includes Microsoft Elevate for Educators, a programme offering free AI literacy credentials, access to a professional learning community for teachers and resources for educational organisations to integrate AI into teaching.
The company said the broader plan will prioritise in-demand credentials for more than 500,000 educators and targeted initiatives to expand AI learning for women in line with Saudi Arabia's Vision 2030 economic diversification strategy.
"Countries that lead in AI are those that invest not only in technology, but in people," said Brad Smith, vice chair and president of Microsoft.
Microsoft said the initiative builds on more than one million engagements in AI, cloud and data programmes across the kingdom, with over 800,000 learners already completing training.
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The company highlighted its AI Academy with SDAIA, the Saudi Data and AI Authority, which has recorded more than one million enrolments, and said it provided more than two-thirds of the national AI curriculum used in the Samai Initiative, supporting over one million Saudis.
Additional programmes include a forthcoming Microsoft Datacenter Academy, training for 1,000 government employees in a single quarter, and partnerships to expand women's AI skills, with a goal to train 5,000 women worldwide.
The Recap
- Microsoft to help three million Saudis learn AI skills.
- Program will credential more than 500,000 educators across the Kingdom.
- More than 800,000 people have completed essential AI training.
