In collaboration with local nonprofits, workforce institutions, and governments, AI TEACH aims to drive significant employment and education outcomes.
The ASEAN Foundation and Microsoft have launched the AI TEACH for ASEAN programme aimed at shaping the region’s tech future.
In collaboration with local nonprofits, workforce institutions, and governments, AI TEACH aims to drive significant employment and education outcomes for individuals seeking to upskill themselves.
The AI TEACH for ASEAN programme aims to provide AI fluency training to 6,200 Technology Vocational Education and Training (TVET) educators in ASEAN, with a focus on Indonesia and Malaysia.
Using the Microsoft AI Trainer Toolkit, the programme will empower educators to effectively teach AI concepts and introduces Microsoft and LinkedIn Career Essentials in Generative AI to students, equipping them with essential skills for course completion and certification.
ASEAN Foundation executive director Piti Srisangnam highlighted the pivotal role in aligning with the goals of the ASEAN Digital Masterplan 2025, saying “the AI TEACH for ASEAN programme by Microsoft and the ASEAN Foundation is a testament to our commitment to empowering the youth, enhancing their skill sets, and positioning them as catalysts for the region’s progress.
“By fostering innovation and providing practical AI skills, we aim to contribute significantly to the economic and technological growth of ASEAN,” Srisangnam said.
The end goal of AI TEACH for ASEAN programme is to help 400,000 individuals in Indonesia and Malaysia to get better employment and education opportunities while bringing positive changes to the TVET system by integrating AI skills to align with evolving industry requirements.
The programme will achieve this by delivering several key activities. The first activity is training-of-trainers for TVET teachers across ten ASEAN countries through collaboration with the Senior Officials Meeting on Education and ASEAN Secretariat, ensuring government attention and support.
In Indonesia and Malaysia, TVET trainers will cascade AI skills training to students via MOUs with TVETs.
Complementing the training-of-trainers, a country-level hackathon will be rolled-out in Indonesia and Malaysia, leading up to regional hackathon organised in Indonesia, which aims to foster excitement among trainers to integrate their expertise in Generative AI into teaching methods.
Finally, a regional TVET policy-roundtable on AI skilling will also be held to invite policymakers, AI experts, and nonprofits to share experiences and best practices.
“We’re thrilled to work with the ASEAN Foundation, Yayasan Plan International Indonesia and Biji-biji to ensure everyone has the skills to thrive in this exciting era of AI,” Microsoft ASEAN president Andrea Della Mattea said.
“Together, we’re closing the skills gap, providing opportunities for success, enabling inclusive economic growth, and empowering the entrepreneurs of tomorrow—today.”
In close collaboration with Microsoft, the ASEAN Foundation will assist in overseeing the implementation of the AI TEACH for Indonesia and Malaysia programmes that will be spearheaded by Yayasan Plan International Indonesia (YPII) and Biji-biji Initiative with a localised approach to address the unique needs and contexts of each country.
While YPII and Biji-biji Initiative take the lead in Indonesia and Malaysia, respectively, the ASEAN Foundation will focus on delivering a regional policy-roundtable on AI skilling and organising a regional hackathon.
