📱 AI and Digital Skills, Funding & Market Moves. 🗽Back to School Summit,Sep 9-11
Technology companies, universities and governments are partnering, re-organising and investing as AI becomes mission critical. Don't miss out on the Back to School Summit, Sep 9-11 in NYC. Join strategic conversations with leaders about the future of education, skills and work.
🚀 The UK Government’s Industrial Strategy prioritizes digital and tech skills with $118 billion for R&D. The primary goals include the reformation of skills and employee support systems and $920M to drive the development and adoption of quantum computers in the UK. Apprenticeships will expand with 65,000 more young adult positions by 2028-29, backed by $550M in funding for further education.
🤖 Kyndryl Opens ASEAN AI Innovation Lab in Singapore to Boost Regional AI Growth. Kyndryl has launched its ASEAN AI Innovation Lab in Singapore, hiring 50 AI specialists to advance responsible AI adoption across Southeast Asia. It supports Singapore’s goal to become a global AI innovation hub, while fostering regional talent and enterprise transformation.
💼 Microsoft to Cut More Jobs in July Amid Deepening AI Focus. Microsoft plans another round of layoffs in early July, targeting thousands of roles, primarily in sales and customer support, as it accelerates its pivot toward AI-driven growth. This follows the 6,000 job cuts announced in May, part of a broader restructuring aimed at aligning with the company's multi-billion-dollar investments in AI infrastructure and data centers.
US Outstrips all Other Nations by Over 90% in Newly Funded AI Companies in 2024
AI Upskilling & Reskilling Initiatives
🌐 NDDC to Train 1,000 Niger Delta Youths in Digital Skills to Shift Focus Beyond Oil. The Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) will train 1,000 youths at a digital summit in Port Harcourt, aimed at redirecting energy from cybercrime to legitimate digital opportunities. The program will offer tech training, startup capital, and guidance on remote work, fintech, agritech, and more.
💻 AWS Japan Partners with Colleges to Boost AI Talent for Regional Revitalization. AWS Japan has teamed up with Asahikawa and Toyama National Colleges of Technology to address Japan’s AI talent shortage and stimulate regional revitalization. Through free programs like AWS Academy and Skill Builder, the initiative aims to train 100+ AI-skilled individuals over three years. It builds on Japan’s Society 5.0 strategy to merge digital and physical spaces for economic and social progress.
🚀 Simplilearn & Michigan Engineering Launch GenAI Leadership Program. Simplilearn and Michigan Engineering Professional Education have partnered to launch a Generative AI Applications for Leaders program. Learners gain practical skills in automation, analytics, and ethical AI, earning certifications from Michigan Engineering and Microsoft.
💪 Power Moves
📱 Alef Education signed a partnership with Microsoft and G42's Core42 to develop AI-powered learning platforms.
🌐 Khan Academy partnered with Karnataka and the Philippines to support online learning.
⚙️ The University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee introduced a new AI lab in partnership with Microsoft, focused on manufacturing applications.
💰 Education Funding
💸 Zanichelli Editore, an Italian publishing company, invested $69.1M in ZNEXT, a new venture focused on edtech and the future of work.
🧠 Acorn, a Canadian AI-powered learning management platform provider, raised $12.3M to build and map skill capability frameworks to job descriptions.
📚 Galaxy Education, a Vietnamese EdTech startup, has raised $10M to scale its digital English Language offerings addressing teacher shortages and learning outcome gaps.
🏅 Pro Athlete Community (PAC), an education and community platform for pro athletes, secured $7.6M to support post-career transition programs.
🛡️ Pangram, an AI text detection startup, has raised $2.7M to expand its presence in education and media by enhancing its tools that identify AI-generated content.
📺 Brave Bison, a UK-based digital media company, has acquired MiniMBA, marking its entry into the professional training and EdTech space.
🗽 2025 Back to School Summit, Sept 9-11,NYC
👉 Register now 👈
Spotlight: Higher Ed & Workforce Track How are universities rethinking their role in a fast-changing job market? Join leaders from higher ed, workforce, and industry as they dig into skills-first models, employer partnerships, and the new credential landscape. Join top leaders in the field working at the intersection of learning and work. Connect with us for the 2025 Sponsorship Brochure for deeper partnerships.
Like getting this newsletter? Request a demo for access to the data behind the charts, analysis, reports and more...
Thank you for reading. Have a great week ahead!
Have some feedback or suggestions? Let us know at hello@holoniq.com
