Microsoft has added new types of training and certifications to its lineup that tap into the latest interest and excitement in AI. As part of the company’s Skills for Jobs program, a new professional certification in Generative AI will be given to those who take a free AI class and pass a required exam.
Available through LinkedIn Learning, the Generative AI program Career Essentials offers free courses on Generative AI, a technology so named because it can generate different types of content. This form of AI has generated a lot of buzz as companies like OpenAI, Microsoft, and Google have launched their own AI chatbots that allow people to ask questions, get information, and create content.
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The newfound popularity of AI is making it permeate more products, services, and organizations. The shift meant more employees needed to understand how to use AI, and this realization prompted Microsoft to come up with a new certification.
In an article posted on LinkedIn, Kate Behncken, corporate VP of Microsoft Philanthropies, called the effort the first professional certification in generative AI. Through five classes, she first learns the basic concepts of AI, then she progresses to AI frameworks. Passing the assessment entitles you to earn a Career Essentials certificate.
This course includes the following individual sessions:
- What is Generative AI? – Learn the basics of generative AI, including its history, popular models, mechanics, and ethical implications.
- Generative AI: The Evolution of Thoughtful Online Search – Explore the differences between search engines and inference engines, with a focus on learning thoughtful search strategies in the world of generative AI.
- Work smarter with Microsoft Bing Chat – Learn how to streamline and automate your work with Microsoft Bing Chat.
- Ethics in the Age of Generative AI – Learn why ethical considerations are an important part of the process of creating and deploying generative AI, and explore ways to address these ethical challenges.
- Artificial intelligence overviewe – Get a quick overview of the major tools of artificial intelligence.
The certificate is currently available in English, but will be available in Spanish, Portuguese, French, German, Simplified Chinese, and Japanese in the coming months. Following his six other Career Essentials Professional certifications in Microsoft’s Skills for Jobs program, AI classes will be unlocked and offered free of charge until 2025.
Beyond certificate-based training in AI, Behnken said Microsoft will launch a toolkit for teachers and trainers to provide training to different people and communities. The toolkit includes downloadable content for trainers on the practical use of AI and AI courses designed for educators.
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Additionally, Microsoft is launching several challenges aimed at facilitating AI learning.
Starting July 17th, the AI Skills Learning Challenge aims to teach people AI skills using Microsoft products. The company also supports Generative AI, an open grant program for nonprofits, social enterprises, educational or research institutions focused on implementing AI to historically marginalized people around the world. We will also work with GitHub and data.org on the Skills Grant Challenge.
According to Microsoft’s recent Work Trend Index survey, 62% of respondents said they spend too much time searching for information during a typical workday. Nearly half of the respondents said they were concerned about the possibility of jobs being replaced by AI, but 70% said they would delegate as much work as possible to AI to reduce their workload. there is
