In the month when the AI Appreciation Day is celebrated (July 16), Coursera, an online learning platform, announced several new initiatives aimed at empowering students and institutions in essential generative AI skills, preparing them to harness the transformative power of this technology. Among the new actions are new content and credentials focused on generative AI, enhancements to the existing portfolio of professional certificates with specific generative AI updates, updates to Coursera Coach, and an expansion of the Generative AI Academy to help companies train their teams with these skills.
According to The Future of Work in the Data Science and Artificial Intelligence Field in Mexico 2024, conducted by the Knowledge Observatory of the International University of La Rioja (UNIR), today there are 95% more job vacancies than a year ago, and the artificial intelligence-related offer is growing unstoppably in the country. These new releases aim to meet the increasing demand for generative AI skills worldwide and in Mexico. So far, there have been over 2 million enrollments globally in over 250 courses and generative artificial intelligence projects on Coursera and over 20,000 enrollments in Mexico.
As the GenAI revolution unfolds, professionals in Brazil face unprecedented job security challenges, and companies are struggling to keep up. Workers must now demonstrate their GenAI skills to secure employment and advance in their careers,” said Jeff Maggioncalda, CEO of Coursera. “We recognize our collective responsibility to harness the transformative power of GenAI, turning it into a potent engine of opportunities for everyone in Brazil.”
The new initiatives Coursera announced today include:
- 7 new courses, specializations, and certificates in generative AI from top partners
- Generative AI for Software Development Certificate from DeepLearning.AI – designed for software developers and engineers at all stages of their careers, this program will explore how large language models (LLMs) work, their architecture, and their applications across various coding tasks.
- Programming with Generative AI course from the Indian Institute of Technology Guwahati – designed for software developers, technology leaders, or AI enthusiasts, this hands-on course explores how generative AI tools can transform coding workflows.
- Graduate Certificate in Artificial Intelligence from the University of Colorado Boulder – this comprehensive program helps students build a solid foundation in key AI topics including generative AI, natural language processing, computer vision, and ethics.
- Generative AI in Marketing, Darden School of Business Specialization (University of Virginia – USA) – this series of four courses explores how the structures, applications, and considerations of artificial intelligence are essential to create and sustain an effective AI marketing solution.
- Responsible Generative AI, University of Michigan Specialization – by exploring the possibilities and risks of Generative AI, students will be able to identify relevant impacts on business operations, consumers, society, and the environment.
- Change Management Course for Generative AI, Vanderbilt University course – will delve into the strategies and structures needed for organizations to successfully implement and adapt to generative artificial intelligence.
- Generative AI for Kids, Parents, and Teachers, Vanderbilt University course – designed as a resource for parents and teachers, this free course will help children navigate a world filled with generative AI. It will teach children to use it to innovate, solve problems, provide multimodal suggestions, and engage in creative thinking.
- Enhancement of 8 basic professional certificates from IBM, Microsoft, and Meta with generative AI updates, including activities, readings, and videos:
- IBM Data Analyst
- IBM Data Engineering
- IBM Data Science
- IBM Full Stack Software Developer
- Microsoft Cybersecurity Analyst
- Microsoft Power BI Data Analyst
- Meta Marketing Analytics
- Meta Social Media Marketing
- Expansion of GenAI Academy with ‘GenAI for Teams’: this new catalog from top research institutions and companies will equip teams with tailored Generative AI skills to their business functions. With real-world applications and safe practice, companies can use GenAI Academy to unlock innovation and productivity in functional teams.
- Generative AI for software and product teams (over 100 courses): simplifies routine tasks like code generation and documentation, freeing up valuable time to create and launch differentiated and higher-value offerings.
- Generative AI for data teams (over 70 courses): optimizes complex tasks like data analysis and visualization, enabling deeper insights and more accurate business recommendations.
- Generative AI for marketing teams (over 60 courses): maximizes customer lifetime value with deeper insights, content personalization, and more efficient segmentation at scale.
Launched in January 2024, the Generative AI Academy (GenAI) from Coursera is designed to empower executives and their employees with the skills needed to thrive in an AI-driven workplace. It offers a unique combination of foundational literacy programs and executive education from leading research universities and companies at the forefront of AI, including Microsoft, Stanford Online, Vanderbilt University, DeepLearning.AI, Fractal Analytics, Google Cloud, and AWS.
- Introducing Coursera Coach as a complementary experience: the Coursera Coach, launched in 2023, provides AI-driven guidance in the learning experience. It will be available as an extra feature of courses, becoming a more integrated part of the student’s journey. The Coursera Coach will act as an interactive guide, allowing students:
- Ask questions to clarify material and stay updated.
- Summarize key takeaways to be able to take notes more efficiently.
- Enjoy quizzes and tests to solidify knowledge and identify gaps.
- Explore how learning aligns with current or future goals
Coursera is harnessing the power of generative AI to transform online learning. The platform now offers AI-based translations for over 4,600 courses and 55 professional certificates in 21 languages, including Spanish, making education more accessible to a global audience. The AI-powered Course Builder streamlines content creation, enabling institutions and businesses to develop customized courses efficiently. Additionally, Coursera is committed to upholding academic integrity through a new set of AI-based tools that enhance assessment and grading processes, ensuring genuine learning and skill development.
