Amazon.com Inc (NASDAQ:AMZN) is introducing a program to train millions of workers in artificial intelligence (AI) as it competes for talent with rivals Microsoft, Google and others as the e-commerce giant has fallen behind with its own generative AI efforts, the Wall Street Journal reported on Monday.
The company’s 'AI Ready' initiative aims to provide free AI skills training and education to two million people globally by 2025, which includes the launch of eight new, free courses to help adults upskill in AI and generative AI that has powered language-based models such as ChatGPT.
Amazon also noted that through the AWS Generative AI Scholarship, Amazon Web Services (AWS) will provide Udacity scholarships, valued at more than $12 million, to more than 50,000 high school and university students from underserved and underrepresented communities globally.
A new AWS study finds strong demand for AI talent and the potential for workers with AI skills to earn up to 47% more in salaries, with 93% of businesses expecting they will be using AI solutions across their organization in the next five years, according to the company.
Shares of Amazon.com have gained 16% over the past month and 69% year to date.
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