Tech Giants Pledge to Train 120 Million Workers by 2030

The world's biggest tech companies just made a promise that could change millions of lives: no one gets left behind in the AI revolution.

Through the World Economic Forum, 25 technology giants have pledged to train and support more than 120 million workers by 2030. The focus is on people who never studied computer science or earned technical degrees but want to build careers in tomorrow's economy.

The commitment comes as artificial intelligence rapidly transforms how we work. The World Economic Forum predicts this decade will create 170 million new jobs while displacing 92 million positions, resulting in 78 million net new jobs overall.

But having enough jobs isn't the challenge. The real question is whether workers can successfully transition into these new roles.

"The promise of AI lies not in replacing people, but in reimagining how human and digital capabilities complement each other," according to a new industry paper tracking early AI adoption. Companies are discovering that integrating AI into workflows reduces employee burnout, speeds up learning, and boosts engagement.

The shift is already creating unexpected opportunities. While AI automates routine starter tasks, it's actually strengthening demand for human skills like creativity, problem-solving, and emotional intelligence.

The tech companies are committing to three key areas: providing access to digital technologies across all regions and income levels, developing both technical and interpersonal skills, and creating clear pathways into tech careers for people from non-traditional backgrounds.

Ravi Kumar S, CEO of Cognizant, emphasized the sector's responsibility: "As AI fuels productivity and unlocks opportunity, it calls on us to empower individuals and communities to thrive in this era."

The Ripple Effect

This commitment extends far beyond the tech industry itself. As these 120 million workers gain new skills, they'll bring AI capabilities to healthcare, education, manufacturing, and countless other fields. Small businesses in emerging markets could leapfrog traditional development stages by adopting context-specific AI applications.

The initiative also addresses a crucial fairness issue. Without intentional support, the AI transition could widen the gap between those with formal education and those without. By prioritizing workers from non-technical backgrounds, these companies are ensuring the intelligent economy creates opportunity for everyone, not just the already privileged.

Companies like e& are treating these programs as national investments. "We're building a workforce ready for the next decade of economic progress," said Group CEO Hatem Dowidar.

Together, they're proving that technological progress and human progress can move forward hand in hand.