Microsoft to Train 600,000 Belgians in AI by 2028: A National Skilling Initiative for the Future of Work
Microsoft has recently launched an ambitious plan to train 600,000 Belgians in artificial intelligence (AI) by 2028. This initiative, known as the AI National Skilling Initiative (AINSI), is designed to address Belgium’s digital skills gap and prepare its workforce for the future of work. The program is not only a response to the growing importance of AI in the global economy but also a strategic move to ensure that Microsoft’s own investments in Belgian data infrastructure yield long-term value.
Recent studies have shown that Belgium is lagging in digital literacy. According to the European Digital Skill Index, only 59.4 percent of Belgians possess basic digital skills, such as creating digital content, far below the European Union’s target of 80 percent. Additionally, the latest Digimeter report from research institute Imec reveals that many Flemish citizens feel overwhelmed by the rapid pace of AI development. Microsoft Belux General Manager Marijke Schroos emphasized that AI is a gamechanger and is quickly becoming a technology of vital economic and societal importance.
To reach its goal, Microsoft is offering a free, eight-hour online AI course developed in collaboration with Spanish e-learning provider Founderz. This course is open to everyone and serves as the foundation of the broader skilling initiative. However, Microsoft recognizes that not all communities can be reached through online learning alone. That’s why the company is working closely with a network of partners to ensure inclusivity and accessibility.
In Wallonia, where small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) often lag behind their Flemish counterparts in digital transformation, Microsoft is collaborating with the Microsoft Innovation Center (MIC), a public-private partnership with Proximus and the Walloon government. To reach both educators and students, Microsoft has also partnered with Howest University of Applied Sciences, which will distribute an AI curriculum across affiliated Flemish colleges.
This initiative is not just about teaching people how to use Microsoft’s AI tools. It’s about building a digitally literate population that can fully participate in the AI-driven economy. For Microsoft, this also means ensuring that its multi-billion-euro investments in local data capacity are matched by a workforce capable of leveraging those resources.
For TD SYNNEX partners, this national skilling initiative presents a unique opportunity to align with Microsoft’s AI-first strategy. It opens the door to new enablement programs, deeper engagement with the public sector and education markets, and a stronger position as trusted advisors in the digital transformation journey. As AI becomes an integral part of the modern workplace, initiatives like AINSI will play a crucial role in shaping the future of work in Belgium and beyond.
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