Inspiring young people to become digital leaders for the era of AI
Vice O’connor, Leader Microsoft Service Ireland Microsoft Global President Operations And Site Centre James Of Of
Reskilling in evolving technologies is becoming increasingly important for workers across Ireland and globally, says James O’Connor, site leader of Microsoft Ireland and vice-president of Microsoft Global Operations Service Centre.
As digital technology transforms our lives, work and education, is urging young people across Ireland to open their eyes and minds to the endless possibilities offered by STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths) and to prepare for an AI future.
In Ireland, Microsoft has been investing significantly in programmes aimed to help people to embrace new and evolving technologies.
For instance, the Microsoft Dream Space programmes are helping to change young people’s attitudes around STEM and AI. Findings in a Maynooth University survey showed a 42% increase in girls likely to pursue STEM careers and a 40% increase in boys with similar aspirations who have engaged with the programme.
Notably, girls from socio-economically disadvantaged backgrounds had an 80% boost in confidence in their STEM capabilities. Some 90% of teachers said Dream Space had positively impacted their use of technology and their students.
The World Economic Forum has estimated that 60% of all employees will need reskilling by 2027.
In this Q&A interview, James O’Connor outlines how AI has the potential to transform and augment how we live and work.
For the opportunity and benefits of this AI shift to be realised, everyone needs to think differently about skills and training. Embracing upskilling and a lifelong learning approach can ensure our future leaders, innovators and software developers are fully prepared for the workplaces of tomorrow.
Industry has an important role to play to unlock the possibilities of a digital and AI-enabled era.
Back in 2018, we launched our Microsoft Dream Space programme in partnership with educators to inspire students at primary and post-primary schools through new technologies, including AI, mixed reality and robotics. The programme can encourage young people to pursue their interest in STEM and shift their perceptions about the role technology can play in their future career choices.
The immersive Microsoft Dream Space STEM experience also plays a key role in empowering equal access to STEM education and opportunities. According to the Higher Education Authority, 43% of men study STEM at third level, compared to only 19% of women.
In 2022, we committed an additional €3m investment to Microsoft Dream Space over the next four years, broadening its reach across the island of Ireland and encouraging more students to consider a career in STEM and foster interest in AI.
To date, 300,000 young people across the island of Ireland have been engaged through our Microsoft Dream Space programme. We look to provide the 1 million students with the opportunity to develop their digital and AI skills.
We also joined forces with Maynooth University on the STEM Passport for Inclusion programme to address inequalities with access to STEM careers among secondary school students in socially disadvantaged communities.
The programme’s innovative approach, which combines an educational qualification (Level 6 NFQ), education supports, and mentoring from industry role models, provides a unique pathway for approximately 5,000 students to progress to third level education and achieve a STEM qualification. The national roll-out of the programme is being funded by Microsoft, Science Foundation Ireland, and the Department of Education.
A key aim of the expansion of Microsoft Dream Space has been to encourage more primary and post-primary students to develop their AI literacy. We joined forces with RTÉ Learn to release Microsoft Dream Space TV: brAIn_waves, a series of creative lessons designed to educate young people about AI and inspire them to come up with new ideas as to how the technology could be used in their school and local community.
The continued expansion of Microsoft Dream Space builds on Microsoft’s commitment to help ‘Skill Up Ireland’ through our National AI Skilling initiative by providing people of all ages, experiences and ambitions with the opportunity to develop their AI fluency and skills.
Beyond our targeted engagement through Dream Space, we aim to provide a range of AI learning opportunities for graduates and mid-career professionals looking to upskill and specialise in AI.
However, it is clear that no one entity can equip our young people with the digital and AI skills that will shape our future. Industry, government and the education sector must collaborate to help Ireland meets its targets to be a European leader in STEM education by 2026 and ensure 80% of adults have basic digital skills by 2030.
With over 300,000 young people engaged to date across Ireland as part of Microsoft Dream Space, we’re proud to play our part in this journey and continue our efforts alongside others to advance progress.
By working together to take an all-of-society approach to digital skilling, we can create the next generation of digital leaders and ensure that everyone has the skills to thrive in tomorrow’s workplace.