In response to the growing demand for AI talent, EY has introduced the AI Academy, a new initiative aimed at helping enterprises equip their workforce with critical AI skills.
The program provides hands-on, structured learning experiences using over 200 real-world AI use cases, covering a range of applications from foundational concepts to advanced generative AI tools.
Following the internal upskilling of more than 44,000 employees in India, EY is now extending this expertise to external clients across sectors such as telecom, infrastructure, banking, IT/ITeS, and FMCG.
The academy’s offerings are tailored to industry-specific needs, focusing on project-based learning and practical implementation.
EY says that the training modules are designed to drive measurable business outcomes by helping organisations implement AI strategies aimed at increasing revenue, lowering operational costs, improving customer experience, and reducing risk.
The company claims that in a pilot phase across five enterprises, the program led to the initiation of more than 50 AI projects and the development of leadership-driven AI manifestos to guide adoption.
“As GenAI continues to reshape the world of work and has potential to transform 38 million jobs by 2030, the need to invest in people has never been more critical,” said Anurag Malik, partner and leader – People Consulting Services at EY India.
“At a time when 97% of enterprises cite the lack of talent as a key barrier, AI Academy offers role-specific training designed to identify and implement AI use cases that deliver real business impact—be it revenue growth, cost efficiency, enhanced customer experience, or risk mitigation,” Malik added.
In 2023, EY India announced that it is heavily focused on AI, with a $1.4 billion investment in AI over the next five years.
The academy offers multiple learning pathways to suit different organisational roles. A two-day “AI Ambassadors” workshop helps leaders craft AI manifestos aligned with business objectives.
The “AI Transformation Champions” track is focused on identifying and implementing projects aligned with these manifestos.
The “AI Aspirants” module introduces fundamental AI concepts and prompting techniques for a wide audience.
For technical roles such as data scientists and GenAI engineers, the “AI Development & Implementation Specialists” track offers deep-skilling programs.
EY’s broader efforts to support AI education include initiatives at the academic level. Through its nationwide Techathon competition, the firm is engaging college students to solve real-world challenges using AI and emerging technologies.