Microsoft South Africa has set up the YES Microsoft AI Skills Initiative, aiming to skill up 300 000 young South Africans on artificial intelligence (AI).
“This partnership is transformative,” says Ravi Naidoo, CEO of Youth Employment Service. “We can use AI to drive transformation in the country and continent.”
Kalane Rampai, CEO of Microsoft SA, says the three pillars that underpin Microsoft’s AI strategy are: democrating AI innovation; responsible AI; and scaling the opportunity.
“We hope the young people exposed to this programme will embark on their own careers, but also use AI to solve the country’s pressing problems.
“Many of our youth are unemployed. We hope these young people will be a catalyst to start creating employment for the future by empowering growth in the economy.”
YES and Microsoft curated and developed bespoke training material, creating a training path that addresses the different levels of exposure to AI and computer science. The platform is designed to enable all young people to get access to, and awareness of AI – and be able to build skills from Novice through to Expert level.
For many, the world of AI is foreign. Recognising this gap, the introductory AI learning module, was designed to provide an entry-level view of AI to the youth, with the focus being on highlighting the purpose and value of AI to students in a practical, yet accessible manner.
“This collaborative effort with Microsoft is a testament to our ongoing commitment to equipping the youth with the digital skills for future-facing sectors and careers. The significant number of beneficiaries underscores the scale of impact we want to achieve through this partnership,” says Naidoo.
From a practical level, this partnership is geared towards creating a surge in job creation and enhanced employability to make significant strides for the country to put in place a more digitally inclusive economy.
“Together with YES, we are not only addressing the pressing issue of youth unemployment but also helping create a culture of innovation and employability through digital capability building. Microsoft’s approach to AI is based on meaningful innovation, empowering people, and responsibility. This partnership delivers on these three pillars as the means to grow a new talent pool for digital businesses to tap into not only in South Africa, but the rest of the world,” says Lillian Barnard, president of Microsoft Africa.
As young people exit the formal training programme at YES, they will have not only an awareness of how AI can improve how they work and how this could become a career or profession moving forward.
Participants who complete the AI Expert Module and who meet key criteria, will be eligible for certification.