Microsoft and Pearson Partner to Bridge the AI Skills Gap

Transforming the Future of Learning and Work with AI Skilling

In an era defined by rapid technological advancement, particularly in Artificial Intelligence (AI), the landscape of work and learning is undergoing a profound transformation. Companies worldwide are witnessing a paradigm shift in how individuals acquire knowledge and skills, a trend that is expected to accelerate and evolve with the rise of AI.

The AI Skills Gap: A Growing Challenge

A global IDC survey highlights a significant challenge for enterprises implementing AI: a lack of skilled workers. This underscores the critical need for continuous adaptation to emerging technologies and collaborative efforts to bridge the AI skills gap. The 2024 Work Trend Index Annual Report from Microsoft and LinkedIn further emphasizes this, revealing that 66% of leaders would not hire candidates lacking AI skills. As National AI Literacy Day approaches, it's evident that no single entity can meet the demands of the future alone; innovative partnerships are essential to impact lives globally through AI literacy and skills development.

Empowering Learners with Essential AI Skills: The Microsoft and Pearson Collaboration

Microsoft and Pearson, a global leader in lifelong learning, have announced a strategic collaboration aimed at addressing the critical challenge of skilling for the AI era. This partnership will focus on delivering AI-powered products and services to employers, workers, and learners, preparing the current and future workforce across industries for the evolving demands of an AI-driven economy. By integrating Pearson's expertise in learning and assessment with Microsoft's robust cloud and AI technologies, this collaboration is poised to play a foundational role in helping organizations harness the full potential of AI through reskilling initiatives.

Addressing the AI Skills Gap at the ASU-GSV Summit

Microsoft and Pearson are actively addressing the challenges and opportunities surrounding reskilling at the ASU-GSV Summit in San Diego, USA, from April 6-9, 2025. This summit is dedicated to fostering scaled innovations in education and workforce skills, crucial for creating a world where everyone has equal access to future opportunities.

Jeana Jorgensen, Microsoft Corporate Vice President of Worldwide Learning, will join Vishaal Gupta, Pearson President of Workforce Skills, for a discussion on transforming skills development and talent planning for the AI era. Their conversation will emphasize the urgent need for rapid intervention to prevent the AI skills gap from widening into a chasm, which could threaten the ability of individuals and organizations to thrive in an AI-powered future.

Additionally, the author will participate in a discussion with Vishaal and Jeana at the ASU-GSV Summit, focusing on "Skilling for the AI Era." This session will delve deeper into how the Microsoft and Pearson collaboration will transform and scale AI skilling, equipping learners and workers with the critical competencies needed to succeed in a technology-driven world.

Rethinking Reskilling: Key Initiatives

Recognizing the urgent need to reimagine learning and reskill the workforce, Microsoft and Pearson are embarking on several key collaborative initiatives:

Personalized Learning at Scale: Pearson will leverage its extensive content, assessment, upskilling, and certification services, powered by Microsoft Azure cloud computing and AI infrastructure. This will enable Pearson to scale its AI and technology capabilities, expanding personalized learning and AI-enabled services to millions of learners globally, catering to diverse learning journeys.
Innovative Collaboration: The partnership will launch strategic initiatives focused on building AI proficiency and technical skills through new AI credentials and certifications. Furthermore, Pearson and Microsoft will collaborate on developing AI tools, including copilots and agents, designed to assist individuals in skill development, such as English language learning, and seamlessly identify skills gaps in the workplace.
Investing in Technology-Driven Careers: Microsoft is extending its existing partnership with Pearson VUE, a leading provider of Microsoft Cloud and Office certifications, through 2029. These certifications have already empowered millions to prepare for technology-centric roles. This expansion will broaden access to these vital credentials for a larger global audience.
Powering the Pearson Workforce: Following successful pilots, Pearson will deploy Microsoft 365 Copilot across its global workforce. This initiative is part of a broader effort to integrate workplace AI tools that enhance efficiency, creativity, and productivity, ultimately driving better operational performance.

Advancing AI Skilling Initiatives

The partnership builds upon the ongoing efforts of both Microsoft and Pearson to promote AI skilling worldwide. In 2024 alone, Microsoft and its partners trained and certified over 23 million individuals in digital skills. Pearson has introduced its Generative AI Foundations certification to equip professionals and students with essential generative AI skills. Moreover, organizations globally utilize Pearson VUE, Pearson's AI-powered Faethm capability, and Credly badging to diagnose, assess, and certify skills.

Develop Your AI Skills

For those interested in further developing their AI literacy and building AI skills, Microsoft invites participation in the AI Skills Fest. This event offers deep dives, experiential content, hackathons, and practical sessions designed to enhance AI competencies over 50 days of discovery and learning, commencing April 8, 2025.

Register for the AI Skills Fest

There is a significant opportunity to collaborate on building AI skills and empowering the future workforce. Whether individuals, teams, or students are beginning their AI journey or looking to refine their capabilities, Microsoft and Pearson offer resources to support their growth.

1 IDC InfoBrief: sponsored by Microsoft, 2024 Business Opportunity of AI, IDC# US52699124, November 2024

Paige Johnson

Paige Johnson

Vice President, Public Sector, Financial Services and Media, Education Marketing

Throughout her career, Paige has led initiatives to transform and personalize education through the effective use of technology. As VP of Education Marketing for Microsoft, she leads the worldwide marketing teams, with a strong focus on increasing equity and access to quality learning resources for all students.

See more articles from this author >

Level up your AI skills on National AI Literacy Day
- Image: A teacher holding a folded laptop in front of students in a classroom.
- Content Type: Professional development
- Date: Mar 25
- Read Time: 4 min read
- Link: https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/education/blog/2025/03/level-up-your-ai-skills-on-national-ai-literacy-day/
Advancing education with AI to prepare the workforce of tomorrow
- Image: Microsoft booth at Bett UK 2025 with attendees viewing AI-powered product demonstrations.
- Content Type: News
- Date: Jan 30
- Read Time: 4 min read
- Link: https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/education/blog/2025/01/advancing-education-with-ai-to-prepare-the-workforce-of-tomorrow/
Delivering greater impact with Copilot and the power of agents
- Image: A Microsoft 365 Copilot Chat screen showing education-specific prompt suggestions. An abstract ribbon swirls behind the screen.
- Content Type: News
- Date: Jan 16
- Read Time: 6 min read
- Link: https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/education/blog/2025/01/delivering-greater-impact-with-copilot-and-the-power-of-agents/

AI in Education Brings Opportunity to Life

Watch Reimagine Education

Learn more

Connect with us on social media platforms like X, YouTube, TikTok, LinkedIn, Instagram, and Facebook.

School Stories

Get inspired by stories from Microsoft Education customers.

Read now

Microsoft Learn Educator Center

Expand possibilities with educator training and professional development resources.

Visit center

Resources

Discover a collection of resources to support a variety of educational topics.

View resources

What's New

Explore the latest from Microsoft, including Surface devices, Microsoft Copilot, and AI in Windows.

Microsoft Store

Information on account profiles, download center, returns, order tracking, and more.

Education

Details on Microsoft in education, devices, Teams, Microsoft 365, and deals for students and parents.

Business

Information on Microsoft Cloud, Security, Dynamics 365, Microsoft 365, Power Platform, and Teams.

Developer & IT

Resources for Azure, Microsoft Developer, Microsoft Learn, and Tech Community.

Company

Information on careers, about Microsoft, company news, privacy, investors, diversity, accessibility, and sustainability.

English (United States)

Your Privacy Choices

Consumer Health Privacy