More than 87,000 citizens of the Community of Madrid have completed the free artificial intelligence course promoted by the Digitalization Department, Microsoft, and Founderz. The initiative aims to improve employability without requiring prior knowledge.
Artificial intelligence is no longer just for engineers. 87,000 Madrilenians have completed the free Microsoft Elevate course, a partnership between the Digitalization Department, Microsoft, and the Founderz school. The program, which was initially designed to train young people, has ended up attracting individuals of all ages.
The course only requires eight hours in the form of micro-videos and includes a virtual assistant to answer questions. There is no need to know programming or have IT skills. The key is to learn to ask the machine questions effectively, known as prompt engineering, while always maintaining critical thinking.
From Mother to Child: AI at Home
Carlos Alonso, a 27-year-old Madrilian with a master's degree in AI, enrolled in the course and liked it so much that he convinced his mother to join. “Now I see her searching for a recipe using AI”, he says. She is not looking for a job, just curiosity. The program has achieved what seemed difficult: enabling an older person to navigate with ease.
For younger participants, the course offers another incentive: an official accreditation that enhances their CV. Lucía Cordero, a 23-year-old from Extremadura working as a solutions architect at Microsoft, asserts that “it helps you secure a better-paying job opportunity”. She has witnessed the sector changing at a rapid pace.
A Training Program That Is Already Expanding
The Digitalization Councillor, Miguel López-Valverde, argues that these skills are “a fundamental piece for developing talent and competitiveness in the region.” The Madrid model has already been replicated in Valencia, Galicia, and Aragón. Across Spain, more than one million students have participated in the course.
Sonia Marzo, the driving force behind Microsoft Elevate, recalls a sector statistic: “80% of employers would not choose anyone who knows nothing about AI”. The free training aims to ensure that no one is left behind. And, evidently, it is succeeding.
The course remains permanently open. Any Madrilian can register via the Community of Madrid's website. All that is needed is an internet connection and a desire to learn.
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