Artificial Intelligence is transforming our society, and a meaningful part of its impact will likely be defined by the human potential it empowers. From workers enriching careers to students engineering solutions, educators inspiring new minds to businesses innovating for scale – with AI, we can drive growth and build a better tomorrow. This is the opportunity before us and at Cisco, it is part of how our Purpose – to power an inclusive future for all – comes to life.
Our Pledge to AI Education
Today marks an important milestone in the United States. President Trump has launched the White House’s Pledge to America’s Youth: Investing in AI Education – a national effort to expand AI learning and readiness. It underscores a collective priority: preparing people of all ages for the AI era must be a national priority, requiring unified public-private partnerships to make it real.
Cisco is proud to stand alongside government and industry leaders in this pledge. Through Learn with Cisco, we aim to train 1 million more people across the U.S. in AI and digital skills over the next four years. In addition, we recognize that while educators see AI’s significance daily, many aren’t fully equipped to teach it. As part of this effort, Cisco is working to bridge that gap with curricula, training, and tools – enabling teachers, learners, and businesses to succeed. This reflects a core belief: every person deserves the chance to step confidently into the economy of the future.
Progress Powered by Learning
In 2024, the Cisco-led AI-Enabled ICT Workforce Consortium found that 100% of ICT (information, communications and technology) positions will require some type of AI literacy skills. But, Cisco’s AI Readiness Index shows only 19% of U.S. organizations are prepared for AI and only 36% believe their talent is AI-ready.
The fact is undeniable: to stay ahead, the ability to learn is an important skill and a competitive edge for individuals, companies, and countries. Embedding continuous learning into everything builds a workforce ready to adapt, innovate, and lead for lasting impact. That is why for nearly 30 years Cisco Networking Academy has helped power learners – be it entering the workforce, reskilling mid-career, or advancing certifications – to realize their potential. In the U.S. alone, more than 2.9 million people have participated in the program, with 92% of course-completers going on to jobs or further education.
Building The Future, Together
For over 40 years, Cisco has worked with the U.S. government to expand access to opportunity through technology. That work began with connecting people to the Internet. Next, secure broadband was brought to schools, libraries, and communities to help bridge the digital divide. Then came creating the infrastructure for a cloud-first, mobile workforce. And today, it’s about enabling the U.S. to lead in the age of AI.
At this pivotal moment, Cisco is committed to helping prepare and empower our country to succeed. AI may be a defining technology of our time, but people should still be at the center. Investing in people today will help shape tomorrow’s workforce and power innovation, resilience, and decades of economic growth.
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