Tech giant Microsoft has launched a series of initiatives to help upskill areas of rural Ireland.
Minister for Trade Promotion, Digital and Company Regulation, Dara Calleary, joined Microsoft at a ‘Connected Hub’ in north Mayo as it announced the rollout of AI Skill-Up-A-Thons to rural communities across the country and AI masterclasses for businesses in the Kerry region.
The rural skilling initiatives are a key part of Microsoft’s ambition to ‘Skill Up Ireland’ providing every person in the country with the opportunity to skill up for the era of artificial intelligence (AI).
Microsoft initiatives
The AI Skill-Up-A-Thons are designed to help equip those with little or no understanding of AI with the basic knowledge, skills and competencies in AI.
Those who complete the free, four-hour course will earn an industry recognised Career Essentials Certificate in Generative AI and gain access to LinkedIn Premium to help support them to develop a career in AI.
This comes as a the recent ‘Generative AI in Ireland’ report by Microsoft Ireland found that Generative AI is being used in some form within 49% of workplaces across Ireland.
AI Skill-Up-A-Thons are being delivered in partnership with FIT (Fastrack into Information Technology) and with the support of local authorities, Education and Training Boards (ETBs) and the network of Connected Hubs throughout the country.
Learners will be given the opportunity to take part in a series of AI Skill-Up-A-Thons which are taking place in counties including Cavan, Galway, Kilkenny, Mayo, and Tipperary in the coming weeks with other locations to be announced in the coming months.
AI
The first AI Skill-Up-A-Thon was held at the Connected Hub in Knockmore in north Mayo, where Minister Calleary joined learners as they developed the practical and transversal skills necessary to thrive in an AI age and secured their Generative AI certification.
Microsoft has also announced that it will be rolling out a series of AI masterclasses for businesses in Munster focusing on providing business leaders in rural Ireland with the skills and insights to adopt AI within their organisation.
Developed in collaboration with the RDI Hub, the AI masterclasses will be delivered both in-person and online from now until September.
Speaking at the inaugural AI Skill-Up-A-Thon, Minister Calleary said: “I welcome the announcement by Microsoft that it is providing new AI upskilling and reskilling opportunities in communities across rural Ireland, including here in Mayo.
“AI tools and technology have significant potential to transform how we work and do business.
“But to fully unlock their benefits and meet the ambition of our National AI Strategy, individuals and businesses must start to develop in-demand AI skills and capabilities.
“It is only by working together across government, industry, and the education sector that we can demystify AI and ensure Ireland’s workforce has the AI skills that will be needed now and into the future,” the minister added.
Microsoft Ireland site leader and vice-president Microsoft Global Operations Service Centre, James O’Connor, said: “AI has the potential to empower people and organisations across the country but it’s critical that everyone, everywhere has the skills to harness its benefits.
“Last October, we launched our national AI skilling programme to help give everyone in Ireland the opportunity to upskill and reskill.
One of our key ambitions as part of the programme is to bring AI skilling directly to people, communities and businesses in rural Ireland and ensure they are given equal opportunity to engage in AI.
“That’s why today we’re rolling out the first-ever AI Skill-Up-A-Thons across rural Ireland. Through these new AI learning pathways, we want to empower people of all ages, backgrounds and experience with the skills and knowledge to succeed in an AI-enabled economy,” he added.
He explained that Microsoft’s new AI masterclasses, in collaboration with the RDI Hub in Kerry, will also help businesses develop the tools and skills to adopt AI at speed and support growth into the future.
Director of Training and Employment Services at Fastrack into Information Technology (FIT) Danielle Barr added: “We’re delighted to be working with our long-term partner, Microsoft, on the delivery of AI Skill-Up-A-Thons across the country.
“AI is such a powerful tool. But we need to ensure that every person, at all levels, can access and most importantly understand how it can benefit their education and professional journey.
“By rolling out the AI Skill-Up-A-Thons in Connected Hubs and other venues in rural Ireland, we can ensure that every person is given the opportunity to learn about AI and understand its importance,” she said.
Speaking about her experience in taking part in the AI Skill-Up-A-Thon in north Mayo, Sandra Hennigan said: “AI is everywhere these days, and it is important that we all understand this powerful digital technology and its potential.
“Taking part in Microsoft’s AI Skill-Up-A-Thon in a local Connected Hub in north Mayo provided the perfect chance to do just that. As well as gaining new insights into AI, I believe the knowledge and skills I gained during the AI Skill-Up-A-Thon will be very valuable in my own job and help to boost my productivity and creativity.”