Tech giants race to train millions in AI skills
- OpenAI and Cisco are making significant investments in AI training for the workforce.
- Corporate training is shifting the focus from traditional degrees to skills-based credentials.
- The future of employment may depend more on AI literacy than on academic qualifications.
In recent weeks, OpenAI CEO Sam Altman announced a plan to certify 10 million Americans in AI literacy by 2030 during a White House tech dinner. Simultaneously, Cisco pledged to expand its commitment to training one million U.S. workers in artificial intelligence skills, increasing its investment in digital upskilling to $50 million. These initiatives highlight a critical shift in the landscape of workforce training, indicating that tech giants are no longer merely creators of AI technologies but are taking on the role of educators to prepare the workforce for a future dominated by AI capabilities. As corporate training programs evolve, there is a growing sentiment that employability may soon hinge more on demonstrable skills rather than traditional degrees. Reports from organizations like McKinsey and the World Economic Forum suggest that by 2030, up to 40% of work tasks could either be automated or restructured, further emphasizing the importance of equipping workers with relevant skills in areas like prompt engineering and applied AI. The stakes are high for workers whose livelihoods may depend on how effectively they adapt to these changes. Notably, Cisco's approach to training workers leverages its existing Networking Academy, one of the largest tech education programs globally, to create a jobs and certification marketplace intended to rival platforms like LinkedIn. Workers trained in AI literacy are shifting from being at risk of automation to experiencing career advancements, unlocking new promotional opportunities in the way they work. However, this transition raises serious questions about educational equity and access to such training. As companies like Cisco and OpenAI lead the charge in skills-based training, the question arises: how do we ensure equitable access to these vital educational resources? If AI literacy becomes the baseline for employability and access to training is limited by geography, financial resources, or employer availability, the goal of closing the AI skills gap might fall short, perpetuating existing inequalities. The implications are profound, as the balance of training and credentialing shifts from academic institutions to corporate entities, potentially leaving universities struggling to remain relevant.