To address the growing influence of artificial intelligence (AI) on the technology workforce, a group of tech companies have come together to launch the “AI-Enabled Information and Communication Technology (ICT) Workforce Consortium.”
The program will evaluate the impact of AI on 56 ICT job roles and provide training recommendations to upskill and reskill workers for the future of work. The consortium is being led by Cisco with Accenture, Eightfold, Google, IBM, Indeed, Intel, Microsoft, and SAP also joining. The new partnership will gather insights, devise strategies, and implement solutions across various sectors — focusing on the intersection of technology and trade.
The U.S.-EU Trade and Technology Council’s Talent for Growth Task Force, with contributions from the U.S. Department of Commerce, inspired the creation of a new consortium.
Initially, the consortium will assess how AI influences job roles in the Information and Communication Technology (ICT) sector, particularly those roles most frequently advertised in the U.S. and five key European countries. Together, these nations boast about 10 million ICT professionals, representing a significant portion of the industry.
According to the official announcement, the group has set ambitious targets to positively affect over 95 million people globally through skill development and educational programs over the next decade. IBM, for instance, has pledged to equip 30 million individuals with digital skills, including 2 million in AI, by 2030. Similarly, Microsoft has committed to providing training and certification in high-demand digital skills to 10 million people from underserved communities by 2025.
This AI-Enabled ICT Workforce Consortium is responding to the critical need for a workforce proficient in AI and related technologies. It aims to endorse and enhance training initiatives that are accessible to a wide range of participants, from students and career switchers to current IT professionals, employers, and educational institutions.
As AI continues to influence the global workforce, initiatives like this consortium are seen as a vital platform for the private sector to contribute to widespread upskilling and reskilling efforts. Much of the work is geared towards preparing individuals for future challenges related to technological advancements, promoting equal access to AI’s benefits, and aiding professional growth in the evolving workplace.
