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Mid East Info
15 hours ago
- Business
- Mid East Info
Future Skills Academy records wide interaction and creates tangible knowledge impact in its first phase
As part of its commitment to empowering 10 million Arab learners with job market skills by 2030 The Future Skills Academy, one of the pioneering initiatives of the Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Knowledge Foundation (MBRF) and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), in collaboration with Coursera, has recorded significant engagement and promising results in its first phase. This marks a strong start towards its mission to empower Arab learners with future-ready job market skills. The wide interaction received by the academy in its first phase underscores the growing demand for individuals to develop digital and vocational skills in the Arab world. As part of its ambitious goal, the academy aims to enable 10 million learners in the Arab region to acquire the most in-demand job market skills by 2030, targeting 25,000 learners in 2025. It offers curated courses in high-demand fields such as data analysis, artificial intelligence, digital marketing, and entrepreneurship, in addition to developing transferable skills. Within one month of its launch, the academy witnessed a surge of interest from thousands of learners across various Arab countries. Learners completed 4,721 courses, viewed more than 191,419 educational videos, read more than 126,136 educational materials, and completed over 108,568 assessments, totaling 45,385 hours of effective learning. Dr. Abdullah Al Dardari, UN Assistant Secretary-General and Director of the UNDP Regional Bureau for Arab States (UNDP), said: 'According to the World Economic Forum's Future of Jobs Report 2025, nearly 59% of the global workforce, including Arab graduates, young people, women, and marginalized groups, will require training and skills development within the next five years. With 39% of basic job market skills projected to change by 2030, the necessity to strengthen educational and vocational reskilling programs to prepare future generations for the changing requirements within the labor market is critical.' He continued: 'The Future Skills Academy is a strategic response to these shifting dynamics in the Arab region. By empowering 10 million Arab learners, including young graduates, with future skills by 2030, our academy contributes to economic recovery, enhances prosperity, and supports sustainable development through inclusive, future-focused education. With a focus on continuous learning, we seek to bridge basic skills gaps and unlock the potential of Arab talent to lead innovation.' Al Dardari also added: 'This academy not only develops skills but also enhances the competitiveness and strength of the workforce and economies in Arab countries.' His Excellency Jamal bin Huwaireb, CEO of MBRF, said: 'The strong response to the academy reflects the Arab world's growing commitment to acquiring digital and professional skills as well as lifelong learning. It also underscores learners' passion and interests to build a more prosperous and sustainable future for their countries, foster sustainable development and advance a competitive, knowledge-based economy.' H.E. added: 'At MBRF, we believe that cultivating talent is the cornerstone of both intellectual and socio-economic progress. Through this initiative, we seek to empower 10 million Arabs by 2030, inspired by our wise leadership's vision to prioritize human development and knowledge advancement. In collaboration with our strategic partners, we reaffirm our commitment to empower as many young talents across the Arab world as possible, equipping them to compete and lead in the knowledge economy and sustainable development across all sectors.' Kais Zribi, Coursera's General Manager for the Middle East and Africa, said: 'As industries transform rapidly under the influence of technology, access to high-quality, market-aligned education is more essential than ever. The Future Skills Academy opens doors for thousands of Arab learners to gain practical, in-demand skills, supporting personal and professional growth as well as regional economic development. We are proud to partner with UNDP and MBRF on this impactful mission.' The academy builds on the earlier FutureSkills4All program, which enabled 10,000 learners to complete 15,000 training programs, totaling 114,000 hours of learning. With this new phase, MBRF and UNDP aim to deepen their impact and foster knowledge sustainability across the Arab world. The Future Skills Academy offers flexible digital learning through an advanced electronic library featuring content and programs from leading global universities and institutions. Looking ahead, the academy plans to expand its strategic partnerships, further enhance content quality and broaden access for diverse communities.
Yahoo
12-06-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Aussie job warning ahead of 'huge' shift: 'Can't even imagine yet'
Australians are being warned the opportunities of artificial intelligence are 'immense' but there is no denying it will cost some jobs. It comes as the head of one of the world's biggest AI labs predicts the technology could eliminate half of all entry-level, white-collar jobs within the next five years. Niusha Shafiabady, associate professor in computational intelligence at Australian Catholic University, told Yahoo Finance the jobs of the future would be different from the types of jobs that we have now. But she said this was something we'd experienced 'throughout the history of human life'. 'I think it's important for the kids to understand that we will have much fewer entry-level jobs and new roles will emerge. We should start thinking about our careers smartly from now on and plan our career properly,' she said. RELATED Millions of Aussies warned as Hungry Jack's replaces drive-thru workers with AI Centrelink cash boost coming from July 1 for millions of Aussies Aussie teen's job paying $300 per hour without a uni degree Australia's productivity commissioner Danielle Wood said the forecast that half of entry-level white-collar jobs would be wiped out was 'pretty extraordinary' and 'out of whack with other reasonable projections' she had seen. But she said there were some elements of jobs that would be overtaken by AI. 'Often it is the more routine elements but that is freeing people up to do the uniquely human parts of jobs,' Wood told ABC's 7.30 program. 'Am I going to sit here and say, 'No jobs are going to go?' No, clearly not. There will be some impacts.' Anthropic chief executive officer Dario Amodei recently warned politicians and businesses were not prepared for the spike in unemployment rates that AI could bring. 'AI is starting to get better than humans at almost all intellectual tasks, and we're going to collectively, as a society, grapple with it,' he told CNN's Anderson Cooper. 'AI is going to get better at what everyone does, including what I do, including what other CEOs do.' Unions will be pushing to regulate AI in the workplace at the upcoming productivity summit. It wants the government to enforce a 'digital just transition' for workers impacted by AI, similar to measures for coal and gas-fired power jobs impacted by the shift to renewables. They will also be pushing to gain a greater share of productivity benefits through higher pay. The World Economic Forum's Future of Jobs Report has estimated 92 million jobs will be lost in this decade, with 170 million new jobs created. This would leave a net worth of 78 million by 2030. Bloomberg found AI could replace more than 50 per cent of the tasks performed by market research analysts and sales representatives, compared to 9 and 21 per cent for their managerial counterparts. Wood said AI offered a 'huge amount of opportunity' and there would be jobs created that 'we can't even imagine yet'. 'I think probably the major impact on labour markets we'd expect in the next decade is more people working with AI to take some bits of their job but free them up,' she said. 'From an economy-wide perspective as well, the opportunities are immense. When we look at productivity gains, gains in our living standards have come from over the long run, it is largely those new technologies.' Shafiabady said we would need specialists in automation, those with skills to work with and analyse data, along with more cybersecurity experts. 'The closer we are to making strategic decisions in the organisation and critical thinking skills, the safer our job will be,' she in retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error in retrieving data
The South African
04-06-2025
- Business
- The South African
Pros and cons of digital transformation in the developing world
Across the world, digital technologies are reshaping how people live, work and connect. From artificial intelligence (AI) to high-speed internet and digital platforms, this transformation offers great potential for economic growth and social progress. However, with that promise comes a critical challenge: ensuring that the digital future is equitable, sustainable and inclusive. Emerging technologies have already started driving significant gains and AI alone could add as much as $4.4 trillion (R78 trillion) annually to the global economy, according to the World Economic Forum's Future of Jobs Report . Digital tools are helping small businesses tap into global markets, while fintech services and online platforms are enabling entrepreneurs to reach customers and capital more easily than ever. For micro, small and medium enterprises, the digital economy offers unprecedented opportunities for job creation and innovation – if they have access to skills training, financing, and reliable internet. In developing countries, digital infrastructure is offering a chance to surge ahead of traditional development paths. E-learning and e-commerce are opening doors in rural and under-served communities, creating new paths to prosperity and participation in the global economy. Internet access remains an issue However, the digital divide remains a concern. Over 2.6 billion people still lack internet access and many face barriers due to cost, lack of digital literacy and infrastructure challenges. This inequity leaves a lot of people without access to essential services, education and economic opportunities – threatening to widen rather than close global disparities. Additionally, the benefits of digitalisation are not evenly distributed. While some workers and industries gain from automation and AI, others face job displacement. Estimates suggest that AI-driven automation could create 11 million jobs globally while displacing nine million, with uneven impacts across regions and sectors. To manage this transition responsibly, governments, businesses and civil society must invest in education and social protections. Ensuring that the digital economy is dynamic and fair requires a concerted effort to build inclusive digital infrastructure and policy frameworks. As the world accelerates into a digital future, the choices made today will determine whether this transformation serves as a bridge to shared prosperity – or becomes a barrier that deepens existing divides. Let us know by leaving a comment below, or send a WhatsApp to 060 011 021 1. Subscribe to The South African website's newsletters and follow us on WhatsApp, Facebook, X and Bluesky for the latest news.
Yahoo
03-06-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Millions of Aussies warned as Hungry Jack's makes major drive-thru change: 'Disappear'
An artificial intelligence expert has warned Aussie fast-food workers their jobs may 'disappear' within the next 10 years. Fast-food chain Hungry Jack's is trialling the use of AI drive-thru assistants, leaving many to question where that leaves young people looking for casual jobs. Hungry Jack's has introduced a new 'digital voice-activated customer ordering system' at its St Peters store in Sydney. A spokesperson told Yahoo Finance it anticipated the trial would be rolled out to additional restaurants in the coming months. Niusha Shafiabady, associate professor in computational intelligence at Australian Catholic University, told Yahoo Finance retail jobs were 'very likely' to change in the near future as AI becomes more and more common. RELATED Gen Z job warning as new AI trend set to destroy 80 per cent of influencer industry Tradie reveals surprising industry where he makes '$300,000 to a million' a year Right to disconnect warning as worker sues former employer for $800,000 "At this stage, people are preparing our food, in the future robots will be preparing our food," she said. 'I would anticipate with the work that Elon Musk is doing in developing humanoid robots that even within the next 10 years people wouldn't be preparing our food. 'Those entry-level fast food jobs might disappear.' KFC also trialled AI drive-thru technology at selected Sydney stores last year, but stressed it wasn't replacing any jobs. Restaurants in the United States have also trialled AI software, with major chains like Wendy's, McDonald's, Chipotle, Domino's and Taco Bell among those signing contracts with tech providers. Shafiabady said the move allowed businesses to save money and would reduce wait times, along with increasing their order accuracy. A Hungry Jack's spokesperson told Yahoo Finance it's trial aimed to determine the effectiveness of the AI-powered technology to deliver "service improvements". Some customers have shared their confusion over the trial, with one calling it "scary" and others even threatening to "boycott" the chain over the move. Shafiabady said the technology might not go down well with customers initially. 'People at this stage might feel uncomfortable dealing with technology and they do not really trust the technology, but I would imagine that would be temporary,' she said. 'Even if they lose some of their customers in the beginning, people would get used to the technology. 'If you recall the first time that generative AI tools came to the market, like ChatGPT, people were not really comfortable using it. But now everybody's using them.' Shafiabady also flagged the potential risk of cyber attacks in the future. Bank tellers, cashiers, postal workers and administrative assistants are among the jobs forecast to drop by 2030, according to the World Economic Forum's Future of Jobs Report. The Forum has estimated 170 million new jobs will be created in this decade, but this will be offset by the loss of 92 million jobs, leaving a net growth of 78 million by 2030. Shafiabady said jobs that involved performing repetitive tasks were the ones that would be displaced 'relatively quickly'. 'The first level of jobs that are at danger are the secretarial roles because you can have softwares that does the same thing for people,' she said. 'With the generative AI algorithms and tools that have become available, the tasks and jobs that are associated with them are at risk too. For example, translation. If someone was an interpreter their job would be at risk.' Shafiabady said she expects some technician-level jobs will also be overtaken in the future where their job involves working with a machine and analysing something. A number of Australians have raised concerns about replacing fast-food workers with AI. 'Goodbye to teenagers who need casual jobs,' one wrote. 'How will kids get job experience with these jobs being replaced?' another asked. 'You can't convince me all this investment in AI is cheaper than paying real wages,' another said. Shafiabady said it was important for young people to understand there would be fewer entry-level jobs in the future. 'Businesses are going to restructure their roles and focus on high-value tasks rather than entry-level jobs,' she said. But she said the rise of AI would open up new job opportunities, with specialists in automation, cybersecurity experts and those able to work with and analyse data expected to be needed. 'That's the reality. The types of jobs of the future will be different from the types of jobs that we have had now, and we have had before,' she said. 'If you look back hundreds of years ago, the types of jobs were different, so we are evolving and the types of jobs will be changing.'Error while retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error while retrieving data
The Print
24-05-2025
- Business
- The Print
Educational systems must catch up with AI. It is now key for developing human intelligence
Artificial intelligence is no longer just a frontier technology – it's a pervasive force reshaping how we live, work and learn. As the World Economic Forum's Future of Jobs Report 2025 outlines, AI is expected to disrupt nearly every industry, shifting the skillsets required across global labour markets. AI's most significant influence lies in how we access, process and apply information, fundamentally redefining education and the way we acquire knowledge. Show Full Article From this perspective, AI literacy isn't just a 'nice to have' for IT professionals; it's essential for developing human intelligence itself and has key implications for the education sector. Education is among the sectors most affected by AI-driven Future of Jobs Report Yet, while technological change races ahead, education systems are often left trying to catch up. This gap between innovation and education is exactly what the new AI Literacy Framework (AILit) aims to close. A joint initiative by the European Commission (EC) and the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD), with support from and international experts, the framework is a major step toward preparing young learners to engage with AI critically, creatively and ethically. As the OECD highlights, this effort isn't just about teaching coding or understanding algorithms. It's about building a foundation of competencies that empower learners to navigate an AI-integrated world with confidence and purpose. 6 principles to shape AI literacy in EC/OECD Why AI literacy – and why now? As generative AI tools become ubiquitous in schools, workplaces and daily digital life, it's crucial to instil responsible use from a young age. Learners are not only using AI – they are experimenting with it, often without formal guidance on its limitations and risks. Almost half of Gen Z scored poorly on 'evaluating and identifying critical shortfalls with AI technology', such as whether AI systems can make up facts, according to a 2024 report from TeachAI and EY. The Forum's Shaping Learning: The Role of AI in Education reinforces this trend. It notes that education systems must go beyond digital literacy and embrace AI literacy as a core educational priority. That includes equipping students with the critical thinking skills to evaluate outputs, the creativity to collaborate with AI in meaningful ways and the ethical grounding to question its role in society. What the AILit Framework delivers The AILit Framework, currently in draft form, defines AI literacy as a blend of knowledge, skills and attitudes that enable learners to engage with AI responsibly and effectively. It is organized around four practical domains: 1. Engaging with AI – Understanding when and how AI is present in everyday tools and critically evaluating its outputs. 2. Creating with AI – Collaborating with AI tools to support problem-solving and creativity, while considering ethical implications like ownership and bias. 3. Managing AI's actions – Delegating tasks to AI responsibly, setting guidelines and ensuring human oversight. 4. Designing AI solutions – Exploring how AI works and how to build or adapt systems to solve real-world problems. Each domain is supported by 23 competencies and classroom-ready learning scenarios, making the framework both aspirational and actionable. It's designed not just for computer science classes but across disciplines – from language and arts to social studies – reinforcing AI as a cross-cutting theme in education. The AILit Framework reflects relevant knowledge, skills and attitudes found across multiple academic EC/OECD Global insight for the classroom One of the framework's strengths is its foundation in global expertise. Drawing on research from AI4K12, UNESCO, and the EU's DigComp frameworks, AILit incorporates the best of what's already known and adapts it for practical use in primary and secondary education. The framework also aligns with Article 4 of the EU AI Act, which mandates that those deploying AI systems must ensure users – including students and educator – have a sufficient level of AI literacy. It complements the Digital Education Action Plan 2021–2027 and reinforces the idea that building a digitally skilled, AI-ready society must start in schools. A call to action for the education sector The Forum's Future of Jobs Report 2025 projects that nearly 40% of the skills required by the global workforce will change within five years. Preparing students for that future means going beyond traditional curricula to include AI-specific skills such as algorithmic thinking, prompt engineering and understanding bias in data systems. But more than technical know-how, learners will need the human skills that AI can't replicate – empathy, judgment, ethical reasoning and collaboration. The AILit Framework weaves these values into its structure, promoting a skills-first, ethics-centered approach to learning in the AI era. The core skills include human skills that AI can't Future of Jobs Report How to get involved The draft AILit Framework is open for public consultation until late 2025, and the final version will be released in early 2026. Educators, policymakers, curriculum designers and education leaders are encouraged to explore the framework and share their feedback here. By contributing to this global dialogue, you can help shape the competencies that will define the next generation of learners – not just as consumers of AI, but as its ethical stewards and creative shapers. A shared responsibility As the pace of AI innovation accelerates, the responsibility to prepare young people doesn't rest solely on technology companies or policymakers – it lies with all of us. The AILit Framework provides a roadmap to do just that: to empower learners with the tools, mindsets and confidence to thrive in an AI-powered world. Let's ensure that the future of AI in education is not just reactive, but intentional, inclusive and transformative. This article first appeared in the World Economic Forum. Read the original piece here.
