March 8th 2024.
Usher's New Look, a non-profit organization founded by singer Usher Raymond IV in 1999, has teamed up with IBM to offer free career training focused on artificial intelligence and professional skills through IBM's SkillsBuild platform. This partnership aims to benefit thousands of underrepresented youth learners across the country, providing them with essential technological knowledge for future success in the workforce. According to a recent press release, this collaboration will enhance Usher's New Look's existing leadership, financial literacy, and career readiness programs by incorporating tailored AI coursework from IBM SkillsBuild to meet the learners' individual needs.
The courses offered through this program include resume writing with AI, building chatbots, and mastering AI prompting. Along with these valuable technical skills, students will also have the opportunity to develop professional skills such as public speaking and interview preparation, providing them with a solid foundation for their future careers. With over 1,000 courses available on the SkillsBuild platform, ranging from AI fundamentals to ethics, machine learning, and customer service, IBM hopes to train 2 million people in AI by 2026.
Justina Nixon-Saintil, IBM's Vice President and Chief Impact Officer, expressed her excitement about this collaboration, stating, "It is an honor for IBM to join forces with Usher's New Look to make a real difference for promising young learners from communities that have historically been underrepresented in the tech industry." She believes that as AI continues to drive the workforce, IBM SkillsBuild is well-positioned to equip students with the necessary skills to succeed.
UNL's President and CEO, Careshia Moore, also emphasized the value of this partnership, saying, "Access to AI and other innovative technologies will help our students become productive members of today's competitive workforce." UNL, which supports under-resourced youth, will incorporate IBM's resources into its various programs, such as Disruptivator Clubs, Leadership Academies, and the 2024 Disruptivator Summit, which is expected to hold the country's largest youth conference this July in Atlanta.
Nixon-Saintil further highlighted the significant impact that AI has on the workforce, citing a recent survey where 61% of respondents agreed that it is crucial for K-12 students to learn AI skills for their future careers. This collaboration between Usher's New Look and IBM serves as a testament to the growing importance of AI in the job market and the need to equip young learners with the necessary skills to succeed in this field. Together, they hope to make a real difference in the lives of underrepresented youth and prepare them for a promising future in the world of technology.
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