The International telecommunication union and international organization are initiating a project to close the global AI skills gap and ensure equal global access to artificial intelligence (AI) training through a coalition of more than 25 members, including the East African Community. This was discussed during the World economic forum 2025 held in Davos/ Switzerland, from 20 to 24 January.
An AI skills Coalition will serve as an online platform for AI education and capacity building. This platform will encourage inclusive participation in the AI revolution by offering accessible open training on artificial intelligence. The goal is to apply artificial intelligence to sustainable development.
This initiative comes to advance the implementation of the United Nations Global Digital Compact for the Future and the Global Digital Compact. It responds to urgent global calls for AI capacity building by addressing the growing AI skills gap to ensure inclusive access to opportunities in an AI-powered world.
Speaking on this initiative, the Secretary General of the International Telecommunication Union, Ms. Doreen Bogdan-Martin, urges ensuring that everyone has the opportunity to acquire the skills that need to take advantage of the artificial intelligence revolution. This senior official of the United Nations agency in charge of telecommunications also revealed that this coalition aims to train, this year, hundreds of people, especially those living in regions of the world that are still at the beginning of their journey towards artificial intelligence.
“Let’s make sure everyone has a chance to learn the skills they need to benefit from the AI revolution,” said ITU Secretary-General Doreen Bogdan-Martin. “Our new AI Skills Coalition is aiming to train thousands of people this year, especially those living in regions of the world just getting started on their AI journey, as part of our commitment to ensure that all communities can fully participate in our shared digital future.”
In a study cited in the International Telecommunication Union’s recent report on the impact of artificial intelligence for the common good, artificial intelligence is critical to the success of organizations, according to 94 percent of global business leaders.
The Artificial Intelligence Skills Coalition plans to provide a platform that will include a comprehensive training portfolio and a customizable digital library of artificial intelligence materials. The site will offer self-paced webinar courses, access to in-person workshops, and hybrid programs tailored to a variety of learning needs. The platform is expected to be officially launched in March 2025.
Leaders in developing countries should initiate policies that will enable the success of this global initiative for shared learning in artificial intelligence. Strengthening international cooperation and implementing strategies for participation in artificial intelligence training would make these countries the preferred path to take.
Sources: https://www.itu.int
