A global initiative, the AI Skills Coalition, is dedicated to bridging the AI divide by making AI education accessible worldwide. Launched by the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) in March, the coalition unites governments, companies, experts, and advocates to provide AI learning opportunities to everyone. The goal is to equip at least 10,000 individuals with essential AI skills by the end of 2025.

ITU Secretary-General Doreen Bogdan-Martin emphasized AI's transformative potential and the importance of connecting everyone to AI opportunities, especially the 2.6 billion people who remain offline. The AI Skills Coalition now includes over 40 partners and offers more than 60 AI training opportunities through its platform. Bogdan-Martin noted that the true measure of progress would be the number of lives and livelihoods transformed by AI skillsets.

Cynthia Breazeal, founder of Personal Robots Group at MIT, advocated for AI literacy starting as early as primary school. She cited a Common Sense Media report indicating that 70% of teens have used generative AI. Breazeal stressed the importance of preparing students to be informed, productive citizens who understand AI's societal implications. MIT's Day of AI curriculum offers hands-on experience with AI concepts, ethics, and system design to students and teachers across disciplines.

A Microsoft Work Trends Index 2025 survey revealed that organizations face pressure to build productivity amid workforce constraints, while workers feel overwhelmed. Naria Santa Lucia from Microsoft Philanthropies suggested that skilled AI usage could help workers manage tasks and achieve greater job success. The survey also indicated that 79% of leaders see AI as a career accelerator. Microsoft offers tools like the AI Skills Navigator to help workers upskill and pivot to more strategic tasks.

The five-person Steering Committee, introduced at the session, will ensure the AI Skills Coalition's outputs remain globally relevant and inclusive. Bilel Jamoussi, ITU’s Chief of Telecommunication Standardization Policy, explained that the committee will help shape the coalition's direction and align it with its global mission. ITU has called on all stakeholders to engage and contribute expertise to build an AI future that benefits everyone.

The AI Skills Coalition will host in-person workshops, announce new initiatives, and help organize the Global Robotics for Good Youth Challenge Grand Finale at ITU’s AI for Good Global Summit in Geneva, Switzerland, this July.