AWS pledges $100M toward edtech

Amazon Web Services (AWS) has announced its AWS Education Equity Initiative, which equips educational organizations with technology to create digital learning innovations for underserved communities.

As part of the initiative, AWS has pledged US$100 million in cloud credits over the next five years to help qualifying education organizations worldwide build or scale digital learning solutions.

"This new program will provide recipients with cloud credits, which essentially act like cash that organizations can use to offset the costs of using AWS's cloud services," the company said in a statement.

The AWS Education Equity Initiative equips educational organizations with technology to create digital learning innovations for underserved communities. (Source: rawpixel.com on Freepik)

The company added that recipients can then use AWS' cloud technology portfolio and advanced artificial intelligence (AI) services to create innovations such as AI assistants, coding curriculums, connectivity tools, student learning platforms, mobile apps, chatbots, and other technology-based learning experiences.

"They can also get technical expertise from AWS Solution Architects, who will provide architectural guidance, best practices for responsible AI implementation, and ongoing optimisation support," it concluded.

Digital African skills programs

AWS' announcement comes at a time when many tech companies and African governments are working toward equipping the continent with digital skills.

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AWS has already collaborated with more than 50 organizations across 10 countries, empowering them to leverage advanced technologies to deliver digital learning solutions to underserved and underrepresented communities.

In September 2024, tech giant Google and the Zambian government partnered to set up an Artificial Intelligence Center of Excellence at the University of Zambia (UNZA).

In June 2024, the African Development Bank (AfDB) and Intel teamed up to equip 3 million Africans and 30,000 government officials with advanced AI skills.

In May 2024, Orange Middle East and Africa and AWS partnered to introduce AWS Wavelength in Morocco and Senegal by the end of the year.