Launch partners include Microsoft, Stanford Online, Google Cloud, AWS, Fractal Analytics DeepLearning.AI, and Vanderbilt University
By Jeff Maggioncalda, CEO
Generative AI will unleash the next wave of innovation and productivity. As the fastest-growing technology in human history, it has the potential to transform every aspect of our lives. However, organizations must balance its enormous potential against considerable risks. Companies face a “GenAI conundrum”: they risk ethical, data, and regulatory pitfalls if they move too quickly but may lose their competitive edge if they’re too cautious. The key to navigating this conundrum lies in high-quality education and training, enabling companies to adopt GenAI both quickly and safely.
Today I’m excited to announce the launch of Generative AI (GenAI) Academy, designed to equip executives and their employees with the skills needed to thrive in an AI-driven workplace. GenAI Academy offers a unique blend of foundational literacy and executive education programs from top research universities and companies at the forefront of AI, including Microsoft, Stanford Online, Vanderbilt University, DeepLearning.AI, Fractal Analytics, Google Cloud, and AWS.
In the era of AI-generated content, the quality of training from trusted institutions is more important than ever. Poor training can increase the risk of disengagement, misuse, and susceptibility to biases with GenAI. On the other hand, high-quality learning can help develop safe and equitable AI. As they say in F1, “To go fast, you need good brakes.” You also need a skilled driver.
GenAI Academy for Everyone builds foundational literacy across every job role
This foundational literacy program gives every employee a general understanding of GenAI’s core principles, applications, and impact. Employees will learn how to use AI tools to enhance their productivity and innovation in their day-to-day jobs, with Guided Projects providing hands-on practice. Selection includes:
- Generative AI for Everyone from DeepLearning.AI
- Artificial Intelligence on Microsoft Azure from Microsoft
- Introduction to Generative AI from Google Cloud
- Prompt Engineering for ChatGPT from Vanderbilt University
- Machine Learning Specialization from Stanford Online and Deeplearning.AI
- Responsible AI in the Generative AI Era from Fractal Analytics
GenAI Academy for Executives helps leaders enhance their ethical and strategic decision-making
For executives, GenAI strategy formulation and technology adoption are high-stakes decisions. The choices we make about GenAI will not only determine an organization’s competitive edge but also influence societal impacts and shape the future of various industries. GenAI for Executives will help leaders develop a deep understanding of AI’s broad applications and its market influence. It aims to guide them in making strategic and ethical choices and lead and motivate their teams through rapid change.
Selection includes:
- Navigating Generative AI: A CEO Playbook from Coursera
- AI Awakening from Stanford Online
- Voice of Change – Communicating with Teams for GenAI Adoption* from Microsoft
- Generative AI for Leaders from Vanderbilt University
- New Ways of Working in the AI World from London School of Business
- Generative AI, Ethical Considerations and Implications Generative AI: Impact, Considerations, and Ethical Issues from IBM
- Building a Generative AI-Ready Organization from AWS
- Generative AI Essentials: Overview and Impact from University of Michigan
New courses and credentials will be added over the coming months, with a focus on further expanding executive education and role-based learning programs.
“Microsoft recognized the impact GenAI would have on business operations early, and prioritized building comprehensive AI skills training for our employees to foster our own GenAI transformation. We’re pleased to work with Coursera to launch the GenAI Academy and extend our expertise and training resources to business leaders and workforces around the world. In addition, Fatima Kardar, Corporate Vice President of Infra, AI and Partnerships at Microsoft has been included in the executive series sharing her expertise,” said Geoff Hirsch, WW Learning Channel Partner Lead at Microsoft.
As part of our early access program, companies including Larsen & Toubro (L&T), a $23 Billion multinational engaged in EPC projects, high-tech manufacturing and services have utilized training from leading AI authorities on Coursera to build skills across their workforces.
“We believe AI is key for growth, creativity, and innovation. As a tech-driven organization, L&T is committed to harnessing the power of AI to drive engineering and service excellence. The GenAI Academy’s launch reaffirms our commitment to promoting AI literacy and empowering everyone to enhance efficiency and foster innovation,” stated Dr. C Jayakumar, EVP & Head of Corporate HR at Larsen & Toubro.
As Coursera Co-Founder and AI expert Andrew Ng said many years ago, “AI is the new electricity.” We don’t exactly know the full impact of this new technology yet, but we know for sure that it will change our world. It is incumbent upon leaders and workers to embrace this general-purpose technology with both curiosity and rigor.
We’re proud to launch GenAI Academy in partnership with the world’s leading AI experts, offering trusted learning for workforces to navigate and shape the new AI frontier. Whether you aim to deepen your AI understanding or strategically integrate it into your business, Coursera is your partner in this journey.
To learn more about our Generative AI Academy, visit the website. For more information about Coursera for Business, visit coursera.org/business.
*This course is available for Enterprise learners only.