Cisco, SAP, e& Group and Snowflake are among more 20 companies backing a World Economic Forum (WEF) initiative to tackle global digital skills gaps, a factor often noted as key to the success of technologies including AI.

WEF stated the Reskilling Revolution initiative aims to train 1 billion people and create learning programmes for 120 million workers by 2030. The scheme covers AI and digital skills, and is designed to unlock the sector for people with no formal technical background.

The body stated action is required to prepare people for economic and energy shifts. The programme is backed by university-employer partnerships and national skills accelerators, along with the corporate players.

WEF noted India is the latest nation to join its accelerator initiative, taking the total number to 45 serving 14.8 million people.

India aims to “rapidly-scale industry-aligned training and improve employability for millions of workers”, WEF stated.

The skills initiative is backed by more than 350 organisations and 35 CEOs. WEF added 79 economies and 18 industries are involved.

Digital skills have become a hot topic in recent years as companies and organisations realise cultural changes are as important as technological in transformation programmes.

WEF pointed to PwC research involving 9,000 entry-level staff across 48 countries which showed a lack of certainty over capabilities and job security as AI changes traditional careers.

The forum’s MD Saadia Zahidi said WEF is taking “decisive action” to provide “opportunities for learning, support for job transitions and backing for entrepreneurship”.

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