Pearson launches new gen AI certification with focus on practical use in the workplace

The popularity of artificial intelligence (AI) tools in the workplace is growing. As of last month, ChatGPT has over a million business users; small companies are using AI to maximize their output; a third of workers use AI tools multiple times per week; and at least one survey found AI helps boost productivity and revenue. 

Now, AI training platform Mindstone and the education company Pearson have partnered on an initiative to further the momentum. 

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On Tuesday, the two companies launched Pearson’s Generative AI Foundations Certification. According to a release shared with ZDNET, the certification aims to close “the gap between academic AI knowledge and practical workplace application, setting a new standard for AI proficiency in the global workforce.”

Geared towards professionals and both college and high school students, the program ensures participants have critical context and skills for using AI in the workplace, including understanding how AI functions, ethical guidelines, risk management, and use cases. It also covers prompt engineering and refinement, bias, and privacy issues. 

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In creating the certification, Pearson acknowledged that there can be differences in how AI is understood in academic settings and how it’s applied in the real world. The certification “bridges theory and practice” to solve this, and applies to all sectors and industries, the release states.

“Proficiency in AI tools is rapidly becoming as essential as competence in Microsoft Office,” the companies said in the release. “This shift has led to soaring demand for practical AI skills, with employers now expecting a baseline level of AI literacy from their workforce.”

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The certification falls under Pearson’s Critical Career Skills portfolio, which includes other professional development resources. 

Mindstone will help Pearson re-evaluate the certification for relevance every six months to ensure that all new developments in the space are accounted for. Mindstone also plans to provide trainings that help participants complete the certification to the best of their ability. The company says its approach to training is “focused on the practical use of AI for non-technical staff.”

According to Mindstone and Pearson, this certification differs from others because of how it emphasizes practical applications rather than stopping at concepts. AWS offers several AI certifications; IBM’s option is free, while Apple has one geared toward students and alumni. Pearson has also released other AI education tools, including one geared towards saving teachers time.

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The Generative AI Foundations certification is available now via Mindhub and Certiport. Users can also access it via OnVUE, Pearson VUE’s online testing platform. Practice tests are $40, the certification exam vouchers are $85, and additional courses are $95, though users can inquire with Pearson about bulk rates.