As artificial intelligence (AI) becomes pervasive in all aspects of business, across the range of verticals, companies are looking for the best ways to ensure their people have the necessary skills.
Loraine Vorster, vice-president of independent certification authority CompTIA, says the subject of skills development in the AI era getting a lot of attention across the board.
Are you seeing growing demand from businesses for AI training?
Yes. In our conversations with training partners and employers across Sub-Saharan Africa, we’re seeing growing interest in AI training, although organisations are at different stages of their AI journey.
For many, the immediate priority is helping employees use AI tools more effectively, improve productivity and understand the associated risks. That’s a practical place to start.
As those conversations mature, they often broaden into discussions about workforce readiness, governance and the skills needed to adopt AI successfully across the organisation. Increasingly, businesses are recognising that successful AI adoption is as much about people and capability as it is about technology.
Are they looking for training on specific AI tools, or is it more about incorporating AI into their regular work?
Initially, many enquiries are about specific AI tools such as Microsoft Copilot or ChatGPT because organisations are looking for immediate productivity gains. They want employees to save time, work more efficiently and make better use of the tools already available to them.
As organisations gain experience, however, the conversation often shifts. Instead of focusing solely on a particular application, they’re asking broader questions about AI literacy, responsible AI use, governance, data privacy and how to build skills that remain valuable as AI technologies continue to evolve.
The two approaches complement one another. Tool-specific training helps people become productive quickly, while broader AI education helps organisations build capability that lasts beyond today’s platforms.
What certifications does CompTIA offer in terms of AI?
CompTIA AI Essentials provides a practical introduction to artificial intelligence, helping learners understand AI concepts, business applications, responsible AI use and the impact AI is having across industries.
As AI continues to evolve, CompTIA continues to develop its AI learning portfolio to meet the changing needs of businesses and technology professionals alike. The focus is on developing practical, vendor-neutral skills that remain relevant as the technology evolves.
Alongside certification, we’re also seeing growing interest in helping organisations understand the skills they already have before deciding where to invest in training. Workforce skills assessments, such as the CompTIA ITIQ, can help identify existing strengths, capability gaps and where development is likely to have the greatest impact.
How are CompTIA and its partners using AI as a tool for delivering training and certification?
AI is already changing the way people learn.
AI has the potential to enhance the learning experience by generating additional practice exercises, providing alternative explanations, personalising learning support and giving learners faster feedback. Used appropriately, this allows instructors to spend more time helping learners develop practical skills and apply knowledge in real-world situations.
At the same time, AI is making information easier to access than ever before. That places even greater value on critical thinking, sound judgement and the ability to apply knowledge responsibly.
Ultimately, AI tools will become widely available. Competitive advantage won’t come from access to AI—it will come from people who know how to use it effectively, responsibly and with confidence.