- Each corporations are committing to remodeling and scaling AI skilling and studying for learners, staff and employers
- Pearson to additional profit from Microsoft Azure Cloud capabilities and AI instruments, together with rolling out Microsoft 365 Copilot throughout its workforce
- Microsoft to additional profit from Pearson evaluation and studying companies
LONDON and REDMOND, Wash. — Jan. 14, 2025 — Microsoft Corp. (NASDAQ: MSFT) and Pearson (FTSE: PSON.L), the world’s lifelong studying firm, introduced a strategic collaboration on Tuesday to assist handle one of many high challenges dealing with organizations globally: skilling for the period of AI. The partnership will give attention to offering employers, staff and learners with new AI-powered services to assist put together the present and future workforce throughout industries for the period of labor in an AI-driven financial system. By combining Pearson’s experience in studying and evaluation with Microsoft’s cloud and AI applied sciences, this partnership will play a foundational function in serving to organizations understand the complete worth of AI by reskilling.
A world IDC survey[i] discovered {that a} lack of expert staff is the largest problem for enterprises implementing AI know-how inside their organizations. The 2024 Work Development Index Annual Report from Microsoft and LinkedIn additionally discovered that 66% of leaders say they wouldn’t rent somebody with out AI expertise. Pearson’s Expertise Outlook: Reclaim the Clock analysis reveals generative AI may help U.S. staff save 78 million hours per week on the routine and repetitive duties that always fill their day and may result in burnout.
Rethinking reskilling to drive progress
Given the pressing have to rethink studying and reskill staff, Microsoft and Pearson will collaborate in a number of methods, together with:
- Personalised Studying at Scale: Pearson will energy its trusted and world-renowned content material, evaluation, upskilling and certification companies with Microsoft Azure Cloud Computing and AI infrastructure. This partnership will assist Pearson additional scale AI and know-how capabilities throughout the enterprise, increasing customized studying and AI-enabled companies to thousands and thousands of learners, at completely different phases of their studying journey, throughout the globe.
- Revolutionary Collaboration and Go to Market Alternatives: Pearson and Microsoft will launch a strategic collaboration geared toward serving to folks construct AI proficiency and technical expertise by new AI credentials and certifications. Moreover, Pearson and Microsoft will collaborate on a collection of copilots, brokers and AI instruments focused at serving to folks develop expertise — equivalent to English language studying — and establish expertise gaps seamlessly whereas they work. These collaborations will allow joint innovation and go-to-market actions to drive progress for Microsoft and Pearson.
- Investing in Expertise Pushed Careers: Microsoft will prolong its present partnership with Pearson VUE, a key supplier of Microsoft Cloud and Workplace certifications, by 2029. These certifications have already helped thousands and thousands of younger folks, educators and staff put together for jobs that use Microsoft’s world-class know-how. This growth will open these very important credentials to scores of further learners and staff across the globe.
- Powering the Pearson Workforce: After having piloted and examined Microsoft 365 Copilot, Pearson will increase its use by deploying it to its world workforce. That is a part of an ongoing effort to introduce office AI instruments that improve effectivity, creativity, and productiveness and drive higher operational efficiency.
Pearson’s CEO Omar Abbosh, stated, “AI is driving a real revolution in training and work, and we should reinvent the way in which folks be taught to fulfill this important second. Partnering with Microsoft means we will attain extra learners than ever earlier than. By mixing Microsoft’s AI management and Pearson’s trusted enterprise skilling and studying companies, we will carry enterprise learners exactly what they should forge forward of their careers and assist them understand the life they think about. This new chapter with Microsoft is one more means we’re constructing on our dedication to increase AI in our merchandise and sharpen our give attention to the enterprise market. Importantly, it displays the chance forward for Pearson and the folks we serve.”
Judson Althoff, govt vice chairman and chief business officer at Microsoft, stated, “The velocity and scale of immediately’s AI innovation current a chance for organizations throughout industries to speed up AI Transformation. As AI investments improve, the demand for coaching and help to allow efficient and accountable use of AI has by no means been larger. We’re thrilled to associate with Pearson to assist world enterprises develop studying experiences that empower staff with the AI expertise wanted to assist advance their careers and obtain extra.”
The partnership extends each Microsoft’s and Pearson’s personal efforts to supply AI skilling to folks throughout the globe. In 2024, Microsoft and its companions educated and authorized over 23 million folks in digital expertise. Pearson launched its Generative AI Foundations certification to equip professionals and college students with the important expertise wanted to work with gen AI applied sciences. Moreover, organizations around the globe use Pearson VUE, together with Pearson’s AI pushed Faethm functionality, and Credly badging to diagnose, assess and certify expertise. To be taught extra about Microsoft’s AI skilling assets, go to the AI Expertise Navigator web page.
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About Pearson
At Pearson (FTSE: PSON.L), our function is easy: to assist folks understand the life they think about by studying. We consider that each studying alternative is an opportunity for a private breakthrough. That’s why our 18,000 Pearson staff are dedicated to creating vibrant and enriching studying experiences designed for real-life impression. We’re the world’s main lifelong studying firm, serving prospects in almost 200 international locations with digital content material, assessments, {qualifications}, and knowledge. For us, studying isn’t simply what we do. It’s who we’re. Go to us at pearsonplc.com
About Microsoft
Microsoft (Nasdaq “MSFT” @microsoft) creates platforms and instruments powered by AI to ship revolutionary options that meet the evolving wants of our prospects. The know-how firm is dedicated to creating AI obtainable broadly and doing so responsibly, with a mission to empower each particular person and each group on the planet to attain extra.
Contacts:
Microsoft Media Relations
WE Communications for Microsoft
(425) 638-7777
[email protected]
Sami Miller
Pearson Media Relations
[email protected]
[i] IDC InfoBrief: sponsored by Microsoft, 2024 Enterprise Alternative of AI, IDC# US52699124, November 2024