Microsoft launches AI Academy after ANZ pilot

Microsoft has announced the launch of its Ai Academy in Australia and New Zealand. The academy is aimed at helping organisations improve their Ai capabilities and speed up the adoption of the technology across their workforce.

The Ai Academy provides training for both technical professionals, like software developers and data scientists, and non-technical staff, such as business managers and administrative employees. Microsoft hopes the academy will help organisations unlock productivity, creativity, and growth opportunities offered by generative Ai.

Research by the Tech Council of Australia suggests Ai could create up to 200,000 jobs in the country by 2030. The technology is also expected to boost productivity and contribute billions to the economy.

Pilot success with Aussie and New Zealand companies

Microsoft’s launch of the Ai Academy comes after a successful pilot involving five organisations: Australia Post, ASB Bank, Bank of Queensland (BOQ), National Australia Bank (NAB), and the Western Australian Government. More than 4,100 employees from these organisations have already completed training, delivered both in-person and virtually.

The academy’s programs are tailored to each organisation, with Microsoft’s Training Program Manager and Training Services Partner working closely with businesses to ensure the programs meet their specific needs. The academy is intended for organisations that have already started using generative Ai and are looking for support to boost adoption.

Jo Dooley, General Manager of Enterprise Commercial at Microsoft Australia and New Zealand, said, “The Ai Academy addresses a shift in how our customers across government and industry want to upskill their employees, with the focus now on all roles in their organisation, not just specific teams.”

Training partners and program offerings

Microsoft has partnered with Akkodis Australia to deliver the first wave of Ai Academy programs. These include general upskilling aimed at all roles within an organisation, along with more in-depth workshops for leaders, functional heads, developers, and technical teams.

Peter Hawkins, Chief Executive Officer of Akkodis Australia, explained, “As a Microsoft Consulting Partner, we bring practical experience and expertise to the Ai Academy. Our program is designed to offer comprehensive Ai upskilling for teams across organisations.”

Australia and New Zealand are among the strongest adopters of generative Ai in the workplace. Microsoft’s latest Work Trend Index found that 84 per cent of employees in both countries use the technology at work, compared to a global average of 75 per cent.

However, the index also revealed that many employees are taking it upon themselves to bring Ai tools into their jobs. In Australia, 78 per cent of Ai users are using their own tools, while in New Zealand that number is 81 per cent.

Building Ai capabilities responsibly

The Ai Academy helps businesses harness this enthusiasm while ensuring responsible use of generative Ai. Organisations can ensure their workers are adhering to specific policies and using the technology securely.

Jessica Gleeson, Executive of Data Strategy and Execution at NAB, highlighted the importance of upskilling in a fast-moving technological landscape. “Upskilling is hugely important. Over several years, we’ve been building a learning culture at NAB. This includes training our people in data science, governance, privacy, and the ethical use of Ai. Our participation in the Ai Academy builds on this, ensuring NAB is well-placed to take advantage of Ai.”

Australia Post also sees value in the academy. Michael McNamara, Executive General Manager of Enterprise Services, said, “The academy is all about educating our team on how to use Ai securely and responsibly. Empowering our people to work smarter and faster is key to how we will operate in the future.”

Craig Ryman, Chief Information Officer at BOQ, sees Ai as critical for productivity and customer engagement. He noted, “The Ai Academy has provided valuable foundational training for our teams. This will help BOQ remain at the forefront of leveraging Ai.”

Expansion and customisation options

The Ai Academy is now available to all organisations in Australia and New Zealand. It is also being expanded to other parts of Asia. Organisations interested in joining the academy can contact their Microsoft Training Program Manager to work with Akkodis or other Microsoft Training Services Partners to design a custom program.

In addition to these paid programs, businesses can also use Microsoft’s free training resources through Microsoft Learn for Organisations. This option allows companies to quickly jump-start team training and address skills gaps as technology and roles continue to evolve.

Costs for the academy vary depending on the type and number of programs selected. Find out more, here.

Last Updated on September 17, 2024 by Nick Ross