The ascendance of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in the ASEAN region is set to make a substantial impact, contributing an estimated USD 1 trillion to the region’s GDP by 2030. Recognizing the pivotal role of AI skills in driving inclusive economic growth, the ASEAN Foundation and Microsoft have jointly launched the AI TEACH for ASEAN program. This initiative aims to prepare the workforce for the challenges and opportunities presented by AI, fostering a tech-savvy future where AI proficiency is a key driver of success.
The AI TEACH program, in collaboration with local nonprofits, workforce institutions, and governments, seeks to deliver significant employment and education outcomes by upskilling individuals. The focus is on providing AI fluency training to 6,200 Technology Vocational Education and Training (TVET) educators in ASEAN, with an emphasis on Indonesia and Malaysia. Leveraging the Microsoft AI Trainer Toolkit, the program empowers educators to effectively teach AI concepts and equips students with essential skills through Microsoft and LinkedIn Career Essentials in Generative AI for course completion and certification.
Dr. Piti Srisangnam, Executive Director of the ASEAN Foundation, expressed enthusiasm about the partnership, emphasizing its alignment with the goals of the ASEAN Digital Masterplan 2025. The AI TEACH program aims to empower the youth, enhance their skill sets, and position them as catalysts for the region’s progress by fostering innovation and providing practical AI skills.
The ultimate objective of the AI TEACH for ASEAN program is to benefit 400,000 individuals in Indonesia and Malaysia, offering improved employment and education opportunities. The program also aims to bring positive changes to the TVET system by integrating AI skilling to align with evolving industry requirements.
Key activities of the program include training-of-trainers for TVET teachers across ten ASEAN countries, a country-level hackathon in Indonesia and Malaysia, a regional hackathon in Indonesia, and a regional TVET policy-roundtable on AI skilling. These activities aim to create excitement among trainers, integrate AI expertise into teaching methods, and provide a platform for policymakers, AI experts, and nonprofits to share experiences and best practices.
Andrea Della Mattea, President for Microsoft in ASEAN, expressed excitement about working with the ASEAN Foundation, Yayasan Plan International Indonesia, and Biji-biji to close the skills gap and empower individuals to thrive in the AI era. The collaborative effort is geared towards inclusive economic growth, enabling opportunities for success, and empowering the entrepreneurs of tomorrow. The ASEAN Foundation will oversee the implementation of the program in Indonesia and Malaysia, with local nonprofits leading the initiatives in each country.
