EY & Microsoft launch AI Skills Passport for students

EY and Microsoft have launched the AI Skills Passport (AISP) to aid students aged 16 and above in learning about artificial intelligence technologies and their applications across various industries.

This initiative is part of an ongoing collaboration between EY and Microsoft, focused on making a positive impact and supporting young people, particularly those less advantaged, to develop the necessary AI skills to thrive in today's economy. This programme aims to reach over five million people by 2025.

According to a survey conducted by EY and TeachAI, only 15% of Gen Z participants feel well-prepared by their schools or employers for the implications of AI. Randstad research further indicates a 2,000% increase in demand for AI skills in job postings. The AI Skills Passport seeks to address this skills gap.

The online course, which is free, enables participants to learn at their own pace about AI fundamentals, ethical considerations, and applications in business, sustainability, and technology. Participants receive an EY and Microsoft certificate upon completion, which can bolster their CVs and provide access to further learning and career resources.

The AI Skills Passport has already been launched in countries such as the United States, United Kingdom, India, and China, amongst others, with plans to expand into additional countries and translate into five languages by 2025.

Katherine Boiciuc, Chief Technology and Innovation Officer at EY Oceania, expressed the importance of democratising access to AI: "AI's power lies not just in its algorithms, but in how we democratise access to its potential. Through this collaboration with Microsoft, we're equipping future leaders with the technical and ethical frameworks to harness AI responsibly – ensuring innovation uplifts both businesses and communities."

Boiciuc added, "True progress happens when emerging skills meet societal foresight. By embedding ethical AI literacy into global education, we're not just closing the skills gap – we're shaping a generation that can turn technological disruption into equitable opportunity."

In addition to the AI Skills Passport, EY and Microsoft have implemented other social programs, such as the Microsoft Entrepreneurship for Positive Impact, which supports entrepreneurs facing global challenges, and the Green Skills Passport, aimed at facilitating skills development for careers in the green economy.

Gillian Hinde, EY Global Corporate Responsibility Leader, remarked on the collaboration: "The EY and Microsoft collaboration is a powerful example of how organizations can come together to help drive meaningful social change and help shape the future with confidence. The AI Skills Passport program aims to equip young people and underserved communities with the AI experience needed to thrive in today's digital age, while also sharing the skills necessary for tomorrow."

Kate Behncken, Global Head of Microsoft Philanthropies, highlighted the initiative's significance: "Through this new initiative with EY, we're helping young people build the AI skills they need to succeed in the evolving AI economy. By bridging the gap between education and employability, we're creating opportunities for the next generation to contribute, innovate, and thrive in the new AI economy."