I do know you have heard of gamification, however have you ever ever heard of festification? That is what Microsoft will likely be doing in April and Might, with the Microsoft AI Abilities Fest. It is slightly odd, nevertheless it additionally seems to be prefer it is perhaps a heck of a whole lot of enjoyable.
I’ve written loads about Microsoft over time. I’ve praised its improvements. I’ve mocked its product naming. However this can be a new one, even for me. Apparently, Microsoft (or some group of wacky advertising and marketing executives within the firm) needs to set a brand new world report.
Going for a Guinness World Document
Microsoft is severe about this, too. It concerned the precise Guinness World Data group in its plans.
Because it seems, you will get a world report for nearly something. Certain, you will get a world report for probably the most spoons balanced on a physique, the quickest 100-meter dash on all fours, being the world’s tallest man, and having probably the most apples held in your personal mouth and reduce by a chainsaw. That final one was by Wang Lei in Dezhou China, again in 2020 (hey, all of us wanted one thing to maintain us busy throughout lockdowns).
However Microsoft is making an attempt for a world report in (and I swear I didn’t make this up) “probably the most customers to finish an internet multi-level synthetic intelligence lesson in 24 hours.”
Apparently, this has already been a factor. Final 12 months, 46,045 on-line individuals, working underneath the auspices of GUVI Geek Community Non-public Restricted in collaboration with the Authorities of Uttar Pradesh, India, accomplished a 31-minute lesson, adopted by 15 multiple-choice questions to determine studying high quality. The occasion, a part of the South Asian Ladies in Tech occasion sequence, earned the group an official Guinness World Document.
This is not even the one on-line learning-related report or solely report by a giant company:
Free AI coaching for everybody
Microsoft’s try to win bragging rights advantages you and me as a result of we get some free AI coaching out of the deal. The multi-level quest includes sequential levels, starting from an introduction to AI, core ideas like machine studying, pc imaginative and prescient, and pure language processing, to sensible instruments (Azure and Copilot, ‘natch), and constructing some apps by yourself.
The concept is that the programs are open for all ability ranges. You’ll be able to be taught early levels of the teachings if you happen to’re new to AI, or work on deeper subjects if you happen to’re extra accustomed to AI ideas. Though there are tiers of studying, it is packaged as a single expertise. You’ll be able to work via any or all the classes as a part of one unified course.
Classes can be found in Albanian, Arabic, Brazilian Portuguese, Bulgarian, Catalan, Chinese language, Croatian, Czech, Danish, Dutch, English, Estonian, Finnish, French, German, World, Greek, Hebrew, Hindi, Indonesian, Italian, Japanese, Korean, Macedonian, Mandarin Chinese language, Norwegian, Polish, Portuguese, Romanian, Russian, Serbian, Simplified Chinese language, Slovenian, Spanish, Swedish, Thai, Turkish, Ukrainian, and Vietnamese.
Sadly, conversational Klingon isn’t on provide.
The principle occasion, the world report try, runs from April 7 at 23:00 UTC to April 8 at 23:00 UTC. However there’s much more, together with hackathons, self-paced studying, challenges, group boards and meetups, and even (is that this actually a shock?) a possibility for Microsoft’s companions to pitch their AI-related coaching and associated wares.
For these getting began, there are classes like Utilizing AI for on a regular basis duties. This lesson will show you how to “Perceive generative AI and establish methods to make use of AI at residence and at work. Write efficient prompts and discover useful assets.”
For instance of the extra superior subjects, you’ll be able to take a course in Microsoft Material, Microsoft’s information analytics platform. The problem helps you put together for the DP-700 certification. Throughout Abilities Fest, the course is free, however if you happen to do need to change into licensed, that is one thing you may have to pay for outdoor the Abilities Fest surroundings, and it is roughly $165.
Prizes, reductions, and participation awards
In case you do not need to pay for certifications, chances are you’ll be in luck. In case you enter the Microsoft AI Abilities Fest Problem Sweepstakes (one other title I could not make up), you might be able to win one in all 50,000 free certification vouchers awarded throughout weekly drawings.
GitHub is providing a 50% low cost code for GitHub’s latest certification examination, GitHub Copilot. When you end the GitHub Be taught module, you may be given a reduction code, which will likely be legitimate till Might 28, 2025. To be sure to do not dilly or dally, you should full the examination by June 30, 2025.
Now, this is what’s bought me freaking out about geeking out. In case you register and full a coaching inside the 24-hour interval of the Guinness World Document problem on April 7-8, 2025, you’ll obtain … look forward to it … a participation badge. I imply, how uncontrolled is that? You possibly can put “participated in Guinness World Document problem” in your LinkedIn profile (additionally owned by Microsoft, btw).
Sure, you too may very well be tangentially superior, you Guinness World Document holder enabler participant, you!
Register now
I’ll do it. I registered on the Microsoft AI Abilities Fest registration web page. I informed them I am over 18 (if not emotionally, at the very least bodily). I checked the assertion that made all of it appear oh-so-real:
If I take part within the Al Abilities Fest Occasion world report try, I hereby authorize Microsoft to behave as my consultant and to enter into the relevant settlement with Guinness World Data on my behalf and I acknowledge that I’ve reviewed the relevant phrases of the Guinness World Data Phrases and Circumstances.
I’ll have an settlement by proxy with Guinness World Data. In case you go to the registration web page and share your particulars, you too can take part, assist Microsoft win a world report, and perhaps even be taught one thing.
All Microsoft wants is 46,046 on-line individuals to be able to win a reasonably plaque that may be held on the wall throughout the hall and down the corridor from Satya Nadella’s nook workplace on the fifth ground of Constructing 34.
What about you? Have you ever ever frolicked looking the Guinness World Data simply to see the wild, artistic, or inspiring issues folks have completed? Had been there any information that stunned you or made you curious to be taught extra?
Are you planning on registering for the AI Abilities Fest? Are there some AI expertise you need to enhance? What about serving to Microsoft win a Guinness World Document? Are you keen to assist them obtain the top of company area of interest advertising and marketing success? Tell us within the feedback beneath.
Oh, and for the report, regardless of my apparent enthusiastically unrestrained sarcasm, this can be a good factor. It is free coaching on a scorching matter from a well-respected firm. It is positively value taking a while and studying some AI expertise. In all seriousness, I’ll take a number of the courses and I like to recommend you do, too.
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