EU AI ACT MILESTONE | MANDATORY AI END-USER TRAININGS ??

Since end of January 2025, I receive regular calls and messages with a lot of questions related to the ?? topic around MANDATORY AI End-User trainings related to the EU AI Act. It seems that there are a lot of ??? by customers/partners. Given the situation there are organizations that want to leverage the current situation to make BIG money, with "over-priced" end-user trainings that help organizations to fulfill the needs.

Let's dive into the current situation and try to clarify what's really needed! To make is short - there is NO need for expensive custom AI end-user trainings. There are plenty of free trainings available every organization can use. What's needed, is a SKILLING/LEARNING plan aligned with the AI usage and integration in organizations to ensure the opportunities and risks and challenges are understood by everyone - end-users and developers.

Well, when you want to build an optimized AI Skilling Plan for your organizations it might make sense to work with a Learning partner to customize the learning plan according to your organization needs. It's an opportunity, but based on the current EU AI act definition it's not needed.

On February 2025, the EU AI Act reached a significant milestone: the mandatory AI end-user training for organizations where AI is used has come into effect. This marks a pivotal moment for companies leveraging AI technologies as they strive to align with European regulations designed to ensure responsible AI implementation. ????

One key challenge that organizations face is the absence of a clear definition of the exact content required for these mandatory AI end-user trainings. However, this ambiguity presents an opportunity for companies to tailor their training programs to meet their specific needs while adhering to the overarching goals of the Act. ????

To support organizations in this endeavor, Microsoft is offering a broad range of free AI end-user trainings available in multiple languages. These comprehensive educational resources cover everything from AI fundamentals to sophisticated AI trainings for developers, including Copilot end-user trainings. This diverse training spectrum ensures that all employees, regardless of their role or department, have access to relevant and impactful AI education. ????

The trainings provided by Microsoft are accessible via MICROSOFT LEARNING and are verified through online certificates, helping companies demonstrate compliance and proficiency according the latest EU AI ACT milestone regarding mandatory AI End-User trainings. Beyond individual learning, these courses can be seamlessly integrated into and managed by learning management systems (LMS) such as Microsoft Viva Learning or LinkedIn Learning, making the process professional and straightforward. ????

By taking advantage of these resources, organizations can not only comply with the new regulations but also foster a culture of continuous learning and innovation. As we navigate this new regulatory landscape together, it's essential to embrace these opportunities to enhance our understanding and deployment of AI responsibly. ????

In conclusion, while the path forward may present challenges, the tools and resources available to us offer a robust foundation for success. Let's leverage these assets to build a future where AI is developed and utilized with integrity and responsibility. ????

Let me share from my side a list of recommended AI trainings from my end, which I have used for my personal up-skilling and growth when it comes to AI:

BERND'S ?? 10 FREE MICROSOFT AI TRAININGS

1?? 10 AI terms everyone should know | Fundamentals

This website provides an overview of AI terminology commonly found in the media and press. Knowledge of these terms provides a baseline for AI Literacy.

2?? Explore AI basics | Fundamentals

This module provides a brief overview of AI history, and compares the definitions of AI, machine learning, and natural language processing.

3?? Fundamental AI concepts | Fundamentals, Intermediate

This module introduces fundamental AI concepts to help you understand basic machine learning, computer vision, natural language processing, generative AI, and responsible AI. The module includes videos of examples to illustrate these different concepts

4?? AI for beginners Microsoft Copilot | Fundamentals

A collection of articles about topics related to AI, including: What is AI?, What is machine learning?, and how to use prompts to get the best results?

5?? Fundamentals of GenAI | Fundamentals

In this module, you explore what language models are and how they are used. You also learn how generative AI enables the creation of copilots and how prompts affect your copilot responses.

6?? Explore AI For All | Fundamentals

A video series that explores how AI is transforming accessibility, job roles, and humanitarian efforts using real-world examples and case studies.

7?? Craft effective prompts for Microsoft 365 Copilot | Intermediate

A learning path with guided activities for effective prompting strategies. These include summarizing documents, visualizing data, highlighting key action items from meetings, and learning to provide Context to Copilot for better results. This series of modules is an example of learning content created with the help of AI

8?? Expand your AI skills by role | Technical, Role-Specific

The Microsoft Learn website includes a section in which you can “expand your AI skills based on your role.” Role choices include: Developer, Business or Technical Leader, Business User, IT Professional, Data Scientist, Data Professional, Low-Code Developer, and Security Professional

9?? Govern and protect sensitive information in the age of AI | Advanced

This module fosters skills in securing and governing data within AI-driven environments. The modules focus on using Microsoft 365 and Microsoft Purview for governance and compliance. This path enhances your understanding of adapting security and governance strategies in response to the evolving landscape of AI technology

?? Responsible AI for developers | Advanced

A collection of modules and articles for AI application developers to skill up on Responsible AI principles and practices. Modules include: Train a model and debug it with Responsible AI Dashboard, Embrace responsible AI principles and practices, Assess AI systems by using the Responsible AI Dashboard, and getting started with Azure AI studio to analyze text and image content with appropriate safety measures. Some of the modules require knowledge of Python and Azure AI Studio.

Take yourself time and invest in yourself via up-skilling and learn about the value AI can bring to your individual role and to your organization.

#AI #EUAIAct #Compliance #AIEducation #MicrosoftLearning #Innovation #ResponsibleAI