DEVOPSdigest

IBM and Galvanize are announcing new cognitive, cloud and data science training initiatives on IBM Cloud, which will aim to increase the talent pool of cognitive developers and data scientists.

This partnership will work to bridge the emerging skills gap for professionals by tapping the accessibility of cloud to bring an advanced cognitive and data skills curriculum to a broad range of global developers and data scientists.

This extension of the IBM and Galvanize partnership consists of the new IBM Cognitive Course, delivered digitally through Bluemix, IBM’s cloud platform. The collaboration also provides physical spaces for training and education through the new Cognitive Builder Fair Initiative and the Cognitive Builder Space, both of which provide opportunities for hands-on learning and access to cognitive and data science experts.

The curriculum will be hosted on IBM Bluemix, which provides the foundation and services for a range of development environments, including the Watson Data Platform, the Watson Developer Cloud Platform and the IBM Data Science Experience. The first Cognitive Builder Space opens today at InterConnect, IBM’s annual cloud and cognitive conference, and features tutorials led by cognitive and data science experts.

“There is simply more demand for cognitive and AI development skills than currently exists in the market,” said Willie Tejada, IBM Chief Developer Advocate. “We want to help developers access the skills required to pursue some of the most lucrative jobs in tech, while supporting business by increasing the talent pool. The cognitive and AI revolution is upon us, and together with organizations like Galvanize we can advance the state of technology innovation and increase contributions from more people than ever before.”

“Galvanize has an established mastery and proven track record of success in teaching data scientists and developers in an immersive setting. On their strong market-leader foundation, Galvanize will craft and teach a curriculum that will integrate IBM’s skills and subject matter expertise,” said Jim Deters, CEO of Galvanize.

The new programs integrate IBM’s skills and subject matter expertise in data science and cognitive development with Galvanize’s immersive learning philosophy and deep community of students, startups and instructors. IBM is among the first major cognitive technology providers to design such a course to prepare next-generation developers and data scientists for new collar jobs that support the fast pace of innovation in this area.

The IBM Cognitive Course is an online, self-directed, four-week program led by Galvanize and hosted on IBM Bluemix. The approximately 40 hours will cover an introduction to machine learning and AI and the business problems these cognitive technologies can solve; prototyping cognitive products with IBM Watson APIs; emerging roles from architect to developer and operations; and challenges of building a cognitive system in its entirety. Developers representing a major systems integrator, a venture capital group and a leading retail chain are anticipated to be among the first to receive the IBM Cognitive Course at the IBM India Labs.