The Greater Vancouver Chamber of Commerce plans to launch its own training program for member executives this fall.
Vancouver executives and company directors are looking to learn about artificial intelligence (AI) tools, stay up to date and seize new opportunities to ideally thrive from the rapidly advancing new technology.
KPMG Canada and Microsoft Corp. (Nasdaq: MSFT) are partnering to offer free virtual training as part of an initiative dubbed the Operational Risk Skills Development Centre. Separately, the Greater Vancouver Chamber of Commerce (GVBOT) will begin offering in-person training on AI this fall.
That's according to Walter Pella, Vancouver regional managing partner for KPMG Canada and senior vice-president of the Greater Vancouver Chamber of Commerce.
Pera let the story of KPMG and Microsoft's efforts slip yesterday while he was taking part in a panel discussion at the end of the firm's AI Summit 2.0, which included executives such as Vancouver Mayor Ken Sim, Sanctuary AI co-founder Olivia Norton, D-Wave Quantum Inc. vice president Murray Thom and Microsoft vice president and Vancouver general manager David Seymour.
“Registration is free, so there is no fee,” Pera said. Bib After the panel concluded, he said, “It's self-paced, there's a virtual in-person element in the sense that it's not in-person, but there's a live element and the rest is self-paced. It's basic training.”
He said that some modules are
• AI;
• Microsoft's AI tool Co-pilot
• Cybersecurity related to AI.
Students can then print out a certificate showing they have completed the program with the registration website.
KPMG Canada issued a press release this morning saying the program is specifically targeted at C-class executives and directors, but Pella did not address those restrictions during our brief conversation. Bib. Small business owners and other members of the public may also be able to register.
The initiative, announced at the Vancouver AI Summit, marks the second installment of the program, as KPMG Canada will open its first centre offering French language lessons in Quebec in November 2023.
“Generative AI represents a huge opportunity, and by expanding the Operational Risk Skills Development Centre's curriculum to business leaders across Canada, we are helping Canadian organizations realize the full potential of AI,” said John Weigelt, national technology officer, Microsoft Canada.
What exactly GVBOT’s program this fall, which will educate members about AI and rapidly changing technology, will cover has yet to be fleshed out.
“This will be in-person training for members only,” Pella said. “It will be a program, there will be a cost to members, and it is tentatively scheduled to begin in the fall.”
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