Google, Microsoft Launch Online Courses To Upskill Both Freshers And Professionals In AI, Blockchain

Technology giants like Microsoft, Google and Intel among others have launched virtual learning courses to upskill both professionals as well as fresh graduates in emerging technologies like AI, blockchain, machine learning and robotics, reports Hindustan Times (HT).

Some of the courses have been offered by these companies in collaboration with governments and academia. Google tied up with private e-learning platforms such as Udacity and Coursera in 2017 to offer free programmes in Google analytics, android development etc.

Microsoft followed this up with three e-learning platforms of its own – the Microsoft Virtual Academy (MVA), the Microsoft Imagine Academy (MIA) and Microsoft Professional Programme (MPP). These free modules can be accessed by both absolute beginners and also mid-level professionals.

Not to be left behind, chip-maker Intel launched its AI Developer Education Program, a self-paced learning course for developers and students looking to understand the fundamentals of machine learning and deep learning.

Partnering With Both Centre And States

Google has also collaborated with the industry body Internet and Mobile Association of India and state governments in Andhra Pradesh and Telangana to create ‘academies of skill and knowledge."

On the other hand, in 2018, IBM allied with the National Programme on Technology Enhanced Learning (NPTEL), a central government-funded online learning platform, to tutor a course in blockchain.

“We co-offered this course with IIT-Kharagpur. IBM has been hands-on in designing the course structure, the rest is done by the IIT professors,” said Mona Bharadwaj, university relations leader at IBM India.

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