Accenture to Acquire Udacity to Expand AI Upskilling Options

Accenture, a leading professional services firm, has announced its plans to acquire the learning platform Udacity in a move to expand AI upskilling options for clients. This acquisition is part of Accenture’s larger strategy to invest in the future of AI and training.

The company also revealed that it will be investing $1 billion over the next three years into a newly launched learning platform called LearnVantage. This platform will help business leaders identify skills gaps and provide personalized upskilling experiences. This investment is in addition to Accenture’s previously announced $3 billion investment in its data and AI practice.

By integrating Udacity’s content, services, and technology with the LearnVantage platform, Accenture aims to enhance its AI training capabilities. The acquisition will also bring Udacity’s 230 employees into the Accenture team.

Accenture’s focus on AI training is part of a larger trend among professional services firms to invest in upskilling their workforce. The company has already trained 600,000 employees on the fundamentals of AI and plans to increase its AI-trained workforce to 80,000 through hiring, acquisitions, and upskilling initiatives.

Other major firms like PwC, Deloitte, EY, and McKinsey have also prioritized training initiatives to support their AI efforts. The importance of skilled teams for successful AI initiatives is evident, with nine in 10 IT professionals and executives believing that AI initiatives will struggle without proficient employees.

Overall, the emphasis on upskilling and training in AI reflects a growing recognition among organizations of the need to bridge the gap between technology investments and employee proficiency. With the largest providers offering training opportunities, the push for enterprise adoption of AI is gaining momentum.