Cyprus among 17 countries with access to EY and Microsoft youth AI skills programme

The EY organisation and Microsoft have announced the launch of the AI Skills Passport (AISP), which assists students aged 16 and older in learning about artificial intelligence (AI) technologies, and how to work with and apply them to various industries and careers. Cyprus is among the participating countries.

This free online programme is part of an ongoing social impact collaboration focused on supporting young people and those furthest from opportunity to build the AI skills necessary to thrive in today's AI economy, the announcement notes.

According to Randstad research, demand for AI skills in job postings has surged by 2,000%. However, a recent EY and TeachAI survey, with support from Microsoft, found that only 15% of Gen Z respondents feel fully satisfied with how their schools or employers are preparing them for the implications of AI and the use of AI tools. The AISP aims to bridge this gap by equipping learners with essential AI skills for the modern workplace, with a goal of upskilling one million individuals.

The free online learning programme is accessible on web and mobile platforms and participants can take the 10-hour course at their own pace to learn about key topics such as the fundamentals of AI, ethical considerations and its applications across business, sustainability and technology careers. By completing the course, participants will receive an EY and Microsoft certificate of completion to strengthen resumes and gain access to additional learning and employment resources.

The EY organisation and Microsoft have now successfully activated the course in the United States, United Kingdom, India, Italy, Greece, Belgium, South Africa, Ireland, Switzerland, Cyprus, Australia, New Zealand, Fiji, Papua New Guinea, Sweden, China and India. Expansion plans are underway to roll out to additional countries through 2025 — and to translate to five languages.

Together, the EY organisation and Microsoft have collaborated on a multitude of programmes to help empower job seekers and impact entrepreneurs with the skills needed for an AI-driven future, furthering the EY Ripples ambition to impact one billion lives by 2030.

Other high-impact EY and Microsoft social programmes include:

• Microsoft Entrepreneurship for Positive Impact: This Microsoft programme provides support to innovative tech-first entrepreneurs who are addressing our world's most pressing challenges. The EY organisation and Microsoft run a series of Skills Labs to support more than 100 entrepreneurs to date on key growth challenges identified, such as investment strategies, financial planning, environmental, social and governance (ESG) strategy and business resilience.
• EY and Microsoft Green Skills Passport: A programme aimed to help learners aged 16 and over develop skills to find green jobs and pursue opportunities in the growing green economy. To date, more than 46,000 learners have completed this free course and are on their way to a green skills career.
• Future Skills Workshops (FSW): An EY offering to upskill young or underserved groups equipping them with knowledge to help them navigate a changing world. The "All about AI" module is the newest module and will be launched across Latin America through in-person delivery with the EY organisation, Microsoft and Trust for Americas.

Gillian Hinde, EY Global Corporate Responsibility Leader, says, "The EY and Microsoft collaboration is a powerful example of how organisations can come together to help drive meaningful social change and help shape the future with confidence. The AI Skills Passport programme 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, says, "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."

Learn more about the EY-Microsoft AI Skills Passport here.