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SINGAPORE - More adults and students will have access to free online training in artificial intelligence (AI) and other technology topics by end-2025, global tech company IBM said on Aug 23. It announced a collaboration with Republic Polytechnic (RP), Singapore Polytechnic (SP) and training provider Junior Achievement (JA) to use and adapt lessons from 1,000 tech-related courses on the IBM SkillsBuild platform for an estimated 4,500 students and adult learners over one year. SkillsBuild, which was launched in 2021, offers free courses as part of IBM’s goal to provide online training to 30 million people globally by 2030.  IBM chief impact officer and vice-president Justina Nixon-Saintil said around 11.5 million people had used the educational platform as at the end of 2023. She added that one way to reach keen learners is to collaborate with schools.  SP will be tapping SkillsBuild’s AI, data and cyber-security courses to support learning for its computing courses, while RP plans to introduce the platform’s courses into its curriculum, specifically to train students in data science and AI skills, among other topics. Both polytechnics will also explore using the resources in common curriculum modules to ensure all students are well versed in the usage and programming of AI.  SP’s deputy principal, Mr Loh Yew Chiong, said the online courses can be utilised as quizzes for lecturers to keep track of students’ understanding of AI subjects. Students will be encouraged to complete AI or other courses to attain IBM’s professional certifications, which will help to enhance their portfolios when applying for jobs, he said. RP chief technology officer Fong Yew Chan said IBM SkillsBuild provides plenty of useful material that adds on to the school’s curriculum.  Non-profit organisation JA, which holds career and financial literacy workshops in schools, plans to use the online resources to support the training of about 3,000 students within a year, said executive director Ng Hau Yee. Ms Ng said: “If you tell kids to go online to do a quiz, they probably won’t do it by themselves. So we can use the modules to design our courses as a teaser to topics like AI and cyber security.” The collaboration between IBM, SP, RP and JA was announced at the IBM office at Marina Bay Financial Centre. Minister of State for Digital Development and Information Rahayu Mahzam, who was the guest of honour, welcomed the collaboration, saying that it can help locals find new job opportunities and acquire tech skills that are in short supply. Building an AI-equipped workforce would require “a proactive approach by going upstream to prepare our youth even before they enter the workforce”, she added. She added: “It includes integrating AI education and digital literacy into vocational training and equipping them with the foundational skills required to do well in a rapidly changing job market.” There has been no shortage of efforts by schools and enterprises to build AI talent here, following then Deputy Prime Minister Lawrence Wong’s announcement in 2023 on Singapore’s renewed national AI strategy to have since been offered at Nanyang Technological University, backed by an initial $4 million to support AI education and research in 2024. Besides its dedicated AI degrees and minor in AI offered to students, Singapore University of Technology and Design introduced AI courses for adult learners in 2024. These include classes on using generative AI and understanding the science behind such programs. Even professionals in non-IT sectors like logistics and finance have been sent to attend tech training sessions to acquire digital skills through efforts by the authorities and trade associations.