How Salesforce aims to close the AI skills gap

In order to successfully leverage artificial intelligence, the workforce must first understand it, then get comfortable with it — and this company is attempting to make that process smoother, faster and more effective. 

In September, software company Salesforce announced that it will offer its existing premium AI courses and AI certifications free of charge and available to anyone through its free online learning platform, Trailhead, through the end of 2025. In addition, Trailhead has also expanded its free online courses to offer AI-specific skills training, including AI fundamentals, ethical AI use and prompting.

"We know people learn in different ways, which is why we wanted to offer both online and in-person upskilling opportunities," says Relina Bulchandani, leader of Salesforce's real estate and workplace services team. "Our physical spaces will host in-person courses, as well as bring together industry experts, partners, and customers to advance AI innovation and offer urgent upskilling opportunities."

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In an effort to reach as many people as possible with its venture, Salesforce also announced that it will be opening a pop-up AI center in its San Francisco headquarters alongside the launch, with plans to roll out additional training centers in key hubs around the world like Chicago, Tokyo and Sydney. The goal is to prompt employees and local community members alike to learn how to use AI tools and agents.

"Our vision for AI does not stop at product innovation," Bulchandani says. "We are committed to ensuring that the global workforce understands how to use it. We're constantly looking for new ways to address the ongoing AI-skills divide and set up workers for success now." 

A look at the current tech landscape also reveals a need for this kind of initiative. According to recent research from communication platform Slack, executive urgency to incorporate AI tools into business operations has increased seven times over the past six months, and is now a top concern above inflation or the broader economy. In fact, two-thirds of workers have yet to even use the technology at work and only 15% of workers strongly agree that they have the education and training necessary to use AI effectively. 

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"Just like other technological revolutions, [AI] has created new jobs and opportunities," Bulchandani says. "At the same time, the rapid pace of AI innovation will only continue to widen the skills gap among workers and fundamentally change jobs across industries."

Since June 2023, employees, jobseekers and learners have earned more than 2.6 million AI and data badges through Salesforce's courses and certifications to unlock critical skills. With this new venture, the company hopes to reach 100,000 more learners and, in the process, close some of the AI skills gap, according to Bulchandani.  

"AI is already transforming the way we work," she says. "As employers, it's our responsibility to empower employees with adequate training and hands-on experiences to ensure that the global workforce has the skills needed to succeed — now and in the future."