Learn with Cisco Introduces New AI Training for the Evolving Skills of Today’s Workforce - by Par Melat

AI is making changes to our workplaces at a pace few of us could have imagined. Nearly all of our jobs are changing because of AI, making proficiency with AI an important part of what it means to become digitally literate.

AI has the power to unlock tremendous opportunities. It can make us more efficient, help us brainstorm, and streamline processes. In some cases, it will take over tasks that humans have historically performed. In others, it will create new tasks and even new jobs. That’s a lot of potential, and a lot of uncertainty.

If we’re to share in the benefits of AI and make those benefits available to everyone, we also need to make sure that workers in all kinds of jobs have the ability to learn the skills that will enable them to use AI safely and productively.

That’s why I’m so pleased to announce the launch of expanded AI training from Learn with Cisco. We’re introducing a new learning path, called the Cisco AI Business Practitioner, as well as a new certification: the Cisco AI Technical Practitioner. Together, these project-based programs establish a comprehensive learning framework that empowers professionals at all levels to integrate AI responsibly, effectively, and strategically into their organizations.

Cisco has been a leader in connectivity, and importantly, secure connectivity, for decades. We have a unique understanding of networking, of security within the network, of resiliency, and of the cost of running an IT infrastructure. That deep technical knowledge has supported us in providing digital skills to millions of people for nearly three decades. We’ve done that through the industry’s benchmark IT skills certification program, awarding the first CCNA in 1998. And we’ve done it through Cisco Networking Academy, our skills-to-job program that has made a difference in the lives of 28 million people in 195 countries.

We see the impact of AI in today’s workforce. The AI Workforce Consortium Report provides detailed findings on these changes in 50 ICT and specialized support roles. AI is also having a dramatic impact on people looking to join the ranks of IT professionals. While experienced professionals may welcome the ability to augment their capabilities for increased productivity, as well as the ability to automate some routine tasks, entry-level workers find they’re being asked to display higher levels of competence. That’s why Cisco Networking Academy is teaching more advanced skills and going all-in on project-based learning. Together with our academy partners, we’re committed to ensuring early-in-career workers have the hands-on skills they need.

As AI has started to intersect with the jobs of networking professionals and those who aspire to join the field, we’ve incorporated AI skills into our offerings. We’ve done this from entry-level to expert, with courses ranging from Cisco Networking Academy’s Introduction to Modern AI to an AI infrastructure elective for Cisco Certified Design Experts.

Now we’re extending the depth and rigor of our skills training to a broader range of roles, addressing some of the gaps identified in the AI Workforce Consortium report. The Cisco AI Business Practitioner Learning Path is designed for business professionals, managers, and leaders who need to bridge the AI literacy gap. Focused on strategic adoption and responsible use, this learning path provides practical, hands-on skills to apply generative AI for productivity, content creation, analysis, and leadership. It specifically addresses AI governance, AI ethics, and risk mitigation.

The Cisco AI Technical Practitioner certification and training program takes learners from entry-level AI awareness to advanced, job-ready expertise. With a strong focus on labs, real-world scenarios, and modern AI workflows, this training enables technical professionals to modernize code, automate workflows, analyze data, and design AI-powered solutions.

Of course, we understand that many of these professionals are already using AI in their jobs. But without comprehensive training, many of those professionals are using AI without a thorough grounding in AI ethics, bias, prompt engineering, or efficiency. And without some basic knowledge in AI, they’re unlikely to get the productivity gains they’re seeking, either.

Cisco’s purpose is simple: To power an inclusive future for all. That means making the potential of AI available to all, as well. We’re excited to be contributing to that effort and look forward to learning and growing with you as we provide access to more skills.

You can preview an early access version of the first track in our Cisco AI Business Practitioner learning path today, at no cost. You can find it here.

The blueprint for the AI Technical Practitioner certification will be available in November.

For those who are just beginning to learn about AI, we recommend starting with the Cisco Networking Academy course, Introduction to Modern AI.

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