Nvidia expert urges AI education & workforce development strategies for economic growth, social stability & equitable distribution of AI benefits worldwide.
AI adoption is increasing worldwide along with the know-how on how to utilise it, yet this evolution is revealing who is behind and why.
The global AI market is projected to contribute up to US$15.7tn to the world economy by 2030, according to PwC.
Additionally, the World Economic Forum estimates that by 2025, 85 million jobs may be displaced by the shift in labor division between humans and machines, while 97 million new roles may emerge.
This rapid adoption of AI has created an urgent need for comprehensive workforce development in AI technologies across national borders and industrial sectors.
Addressing this issue, Louis Stewart, Head of Strategic Initiatives for Nvidia’s Global Developer Ecosystem, has reported on workforce development in an Nvidia podcast, highlighting the critical importance of preparing the global workforce for an AI-driven future.
The company’s initiatives in states like California and Mississippi demonstrate how public-private partnerships can tackle this challenge.
This transformation is already visible across industries, creating a demand for AI-literate professionals at all levels.
Nvidia delves into this demand for AI-literacy in the workplace, emphasising inclusive development, acknowledging that the AI revolution must extend beyond traditional tech hubs and elite institutions.
The success of these workforce development initiatives will likely determine not just economic competitiveness, but also social stability and equity in the emerging AI-driven world order.
AI education at all levels
Louis emphasises that AI education must be implemented across all levels of society.
“AI is fuelling a lot of change in all ecosystems right now. It’s disrupting how we think about traditional economic development — how states and countries plan, how they stay competitive globally and how they develop their workforces.” – Head of Strategic Initiatives for Nvidia’s Global Developer Ecosystem, Louis Stewart.
He points to Gwinnett County in Georgia as an example of early education initiatives, where a comprehensive K-16 curriculum has been developed: “If young kids are already playing with AI on their phones, they should actually be thinking about it a little bit deeper.”
The goal is to encourage children to see themselves as future creators of technology, not just users.
Higher education systems, in particular, need to prepare students for the AI-driven job market.
“Graduates need to understand AI, and need to have had touches in AI,” Louis explains, noting that this extends beyond engineering and research challenges.
Inclusive approach to AI implementation
Louis’s experience in the public sector, including roles with the state of California and the city of Sacramento, has shaped his inclusive view on AI education and implementation.
KEY POINTS:
- Gwinnett County in Georgia has developed a full K-16 AI curriculum as an early education example
- Nvidia is partnering with states and higher education systems for AI workforce development
- California and Nvidia are collaborating to train 100,000 people in AI skills over three years
- Mississippi has implemented the Mississippi Artificial Intelligence Network (MAIN) for statewide AI education and training
- Small businesses are encouraged to engage with AI tools to transform operations
- Partnerships between businesses and local schools can provide real-world AI experience for students
He recounts his time as Sacramento’s Chief Innovation Officer, where he ensured that innovative technologies like autonomous vehicles were introduced not only to legislators and law enforcement but also to the general public.
“I knew that there were areas of the city that would never see innovation unless it was brought to them,” Louis says.
This approach ensured that everyone affected by new technologies, from mechanics needing new skills to parents considering autonomous school transport, was included in the conversation.
Nvidia’s partnerships for AI workforce development
Nvidia is collaborating with states and higher education systems across the US to develop AI workforce programmes.
These initiatives vary by state, reflecting diverse local needs and priorities.
In August, Nvidia announced a partnership with California to train 100,000 people in AI skills over three years, involving all 116 of the state’s community colleges and the California university system.
Meanwhile, Mississippi has implemented the Mississippi Artificial Intelligence Network (MAIN), one of the first statewide initiatives focused on addressing AI’s impact on various industries’ workforces.
Louis encourages individuals and businesses to actively engage with AI tools: “Now is not the time to stay on the sidelines,” he advises.
“This is the time to jump in and start understanding.”
For small businesses, Louis suggests starting with applications like ChatGPT and potentially partnering with local schools to develop AI-powered tools, providing real-world experience for students while transforming business operations.
“Workforce development is, I think, at the crux of this next part of the conversation because the innovation, the research and everything surrounding AI is driving change so rapidly,” he summarises.
“AI is fueling a lot of change in all ecosystems right now. It’s disrupting how we think about traditional economic development — how states and countries plan, how they stay competitive globally and how they develop their workforces.”
