Microsoft and Pearson Launch AI Reskilling Partnership to Transform Global Workforce
Microsoft’s AI tools, like 365 Copilot, will be deployed to enhance Pearson’s global workforce, improving productivity and creativity.
Pearson and Microsoft announce a strategic partnership to reshape global workforce learning with AI-powered products and services, focusing on upskilling for the AI-driven economy.
A survey by IDC around the world has revealed that talent deficit is one of the most significant challenges organizations face when deploying AI. Microsoft’s 2024 Work Trend Index shows that 66 percent of leaders want job candidates to be skilled in AI. To counter this challenge the partnership will focus on AI based learning products that will empower the current and future workforce to develop for AI-enabled positions.
This partnership is intended to generate learner-specific learning environments by combining Pearson’s learning knowledge with Microsoft’s cloud and AI technologies. The outcome: getting millions of students ready for a future economy that will be influenced by artificial intelligence.
A prime objective of the agreement is to align Microsoft’s Azure Cloud and AI solutions with Pearson’s existing content and certification offerings. This will grow the use of AI in the provision of specialized learning tools, which will help any student at every level of education. The purpose is to enhance the effectiveness of learning for children, youth, and adults all over the world.
It also plans to create new badges and certificates related to artificial intelligence. These will be useful in enabling individuals to acquire the right skills needed for employment in artificial intelligence sector-related careers. Microsoft and Pearson also want to develop AI tools, co-pilots, and agents to enhance and develop competency in individuals and detect areas of competency deficiency. The merging will open up new ways of training such as artificial intelligence in the field of language learning.
Pearson’s expanded partnership with Microsoft VUE will also help millions of learners gain essential Microsoft Cloud and Office certifications. These credentials will enable individuals to prepare for careers that integrate Microsoft’s advanced technologies. By extending this partnership through 2029, Pearson and Microsoft will create even more pathways for learners to enhance their career prospects.
Pearson’s workforce is already experiencing the benefits of AI through tools like Microsoft 365 Copilot. Following a successful pilot, Pearson will now deploy these AI tools across its global teams. This initiative is aimed at boosting workplace efficiency, creativity, and productivity, ultimately driving improved operational performance.
Omar Abbosh, the CEO of Pearson, urged that schooling and jobs are being reinvented by AI. He was happy about applying Microsoft’s AI tools to expand their learning programs across the globe. Judson Althoff, EVP at Microsoft, said that ensuring that business is equipped to develop explicit skills of AI is important in putting in place substantive methods and techniques for the strict application of these technologies to spur growth.
In 2024, Microsoft and its network partners helped over 23 million people develop digital skills. Pearson is helping by issuing certifications in generative AI, which educates the workers on which new skills they require in using new-generation AI technologies. As a team, they’re creating an AI-literate society by providing people with the tools they require for the era of AI.
