Bridging the Digital Divide: AWS Invests $100 Million to Support Underserved Learners
Swami Sivasubramanian, Vice President, Data and AI
At its annual re:Invent 2024 event, Amazon Web Services (AWS) announced the launch of the “AWS Education Equity Initiative.” This $100 million initiative aims to support organizations globally in creating and delivering equitable digital learning solutions for underserved learners.
“We believe that educational opportunities should be available to everyone, and we believe our role is to invest heavily where we can and to help the ecosystem become stronger,” said Tom Berry, Senior Manager of Social Responsibility at AWS, in an interview. “We believe that all of our previous and new commitments are about democratizing access to technology for those closest to where the inequities occur” AWS is committed to expanding learning opportunities for students.
In a keynote speech at the event,AWS Vice President of Data and AI, Swami Sivasubramanian, highlighted the importance of education and the need to leverage technology for broader access. AWS already provides free cloud skills training and AI skills training to learners from diverse backgrounds, having reached over 2 million learners with free AI skills training worldwide. Driving thisgle, it aims to provide cloud skills training to 29 million people.
The new initiative addresses the gap Berry identified during training programs.
“There are people who have credible ideas for experience using technology, but lack the resources. On top of that, they may lack crucial technical advice.” Recognizing this, she articulated the program’s purpose saying, “Through this program, AWS aims to enable organsations, notably non-profits with solutions that help them achieve their missions.
The program offers cloud credits to eligible organizations, including non-profits, education-focused organizations, and governments working to expand access to disadvantaged learning for underserved learners.
Organizations can leverage these credits to build AI assistants, adapt learning platforms for diverse needs, develop student platforms, educational apps, and more. In addition to the funding, AWS is dedicated to providing technical guidance.
Bridging the educational gap with AI
AWS currently partners with over 50 organizations in 10 countries to facilitate access to digital learning solutions in diverse communities. For example, AWS collaborated with Code.org, an organization focused on computer science and AI education for students across grade levels. This collaboration led to the development of an AI assistant for teachers, built on Amazon Bedrock. This platform empowers developers to build generative AI applications using AWS cloud credits. The
How will the AWS Education Equity Initiative specifically address the digital divide in underserved communities?
## Bridging the Digital Divide: An Interview with Swami Sivasubramanian
**Today we’re joined by Swami Sivasubramanian, Vice President of Data and AI at AWS, to discuss their groundbreaking new initiative. Swami, thank you for being here.**
**Swami:** Thanks for having me.
**At re:Invent 2024, AWS announced a $100 million investment dedicated to the “AWS Education Equity Initiative.” Can you tell us more about this ambitious project?**
**Swami:** Absolutely. This initiative is a major commitment from AWS to address the digital divide and ensure that all learners, regardless of their background or circumstances, have access to quality education. We want to empower organizations globally to create and deliver innovative digital learning solutions that are truly equitable and accessible to underserved communities.
**What specific challenges is AWS looking to address through this initiative?**
**Swami:** There are many barriers preventing underserved learners from accessing quality education. This can include lack of access to technology, devices, and internet connectivity, limited availability of culturally relevant learning materials, and a shortage of qualified educators in underserved areas. The AWS Education Equity Initiative will support organizations tackling these challenges head-on.
**Can you share some examples of how the $100 million will be used?**
**Swami:** This funding will be distributed through grants, technical support, and educational resources. We’ll be partnering with non-profit organizations, educational institutions, and technology developers who are dedicated to creating innovative solutions that address the unique needs of underserved learners.
**AWS already offers free cloud skills training and AI skills training to learners from diverse backgrounds. How does this new initiative build upon those efforts?**
**Swami:** Our free training programs have been incredibly successful in empowering individuals with valuable tech skills and opening up new opportunities. The AWS Education Equity Initiative takes those efforts a step further by focusing on systemic change and addressing the broader societal factors that contribute to the digital divide.
**What impact do you hope this initiative will have on the future of education?**
**Swami:** We envision a future where every learner, regardless of their background, has the opportunity to thrive in the digital age. This initiative is a significant step towards making that vision a reality. We believe that by investing in equitable and accessible education, we can empower the next generation of innovators, leaders, and change-makers.
**Thank you for sharing your insights on this important initiative, Swami. We look forward to seeing the positive impact the AWS Education Equity Initiative will have on learners around the world.**
**Swami:** My pleasure.
