Microsoft and education company Pearson partner on new AI upskilling initiative

Education company Pearson has teamed up with Microsoft to upskill workers for the next era of artificial intelligence (AI).

On Tuesday, the two companies announced a partnership to create “a series of copilots, agents and AI tools targeted at helping people develop skills,” according to a Pearson representative. The idea behind the partnership is to supercharge Pearson’s learning tool acumen with Microsoft Azure Cloud, which will help Pearson scale its AI.

Also: Pearson launches new AI certification – with focus on practical use in the workplace

Reaching more learners than ever before

Microsoft will build on its current use of Pearson VUE, the company’s certification platform, providing more people with the opportunity to access existing certifications through 2029.

“Partnering with Microsoft means we can reach more learners than ever before,” Pearson CEO Omar Abbosh said in the release. “By blending Microsoft’s AI leadership and Pearson’s trusted enterprise skilling and learning services, we can bring enterprise learners precisely what they need to forge ahead in their careers and help them to realize the life they imagine.”

The partnership will also benefit Pearson employees internally, who will use Microsoft 365 Copilot globally.

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When asked, Pearson did not elaborate on the nature of the copilots or upskilling tools, only that they “will help workers and employers identify and build the skills needed for new and enhanced roles in an AI-driven world.” The companies framed the partnership as a way for organizations to develop employee skills in a professional world where the common use of AI is an expectation.

Pearson did not share any specifics on price or availability of the new certifications, which the company says will develop in the coming months. You can learn more about current Microsoft resources here and Pearson’s generative AI certificate here.