JA Worldwide and IBM Expand Global Collaboration with Goal of Delivering AI and Digital Skills to Up to One Million High-School Students

JA Worldwide and IBM are expanding their collaboration to bring AI and digital skills training to up to one million high-school students worldwide by 2028. The program, building on successful pilot schemes, will reach over two dozen countries across Africa, Asia Pacific, Europe, Latin America, the Middle East, and North America. Students will access IBM SkillsBuild courses on AI, professional skills, and career readiness, delivered in 15 languages through JA Worldwide’s global network of educators. The initiative’s first phase will engage 185,000 learners, scaling to 600,000 by 2027. JA Worldwide, a leading youth-serving NGO, will integrate IBM’s digital content with its hands-on learning model in entrepreneurship, work readiness, and financial literacy. IBM employees will volunteer as mentors, connecting students to real-world career applications. Asheesh Advani, CEO of JA Worldwide, emphasized the need to prepare young people for an AI-driven economy, stating the partnership will increase confidence and expand opportunities. Lydia Logan, IBM’s Vice President of Global Education and Workforce Development, highlighted the collaboration’s role in equipping students with technical and professional skills for future workforces. The three-year program combines IBM’s digital training with JA’s localized delivery, offering immersive learning experiences. It aims to bridge skill gaps by providing industry-relevant credentials and mentorship, fostering economic opportunity for the next generation.