Amazon Web Services (AWS) will invest $500 million, or about 700 billion won, in artificial intelligence education for college students worldwide.
AWS unveiled Student Rewards, a new program for college students, on the 28th. The program supports students with AWS credits, a 12-month premium Skill Builder subscription and certification exam vouchers as they study, build projects and interact with other developers.
AWS is investing more than $500 million to provide the training, tools and certifications that students around the world need to start careers in cloud computing and AI. Students enrolled at universities or equivalent two- to four-year higher education institutions anywhere in the world are eligible to join.
The program is open to those aged 18 or older who are enrolled in a degree or professional certification program. Applicants can sign up immediately after verifying their enrollment through SheerID, the enrollment verification service AWS uses. Students in South Korea are included.
The AWS Builder Center is an online space where developers learn AWS technologies through hands-on workshops and connect with one another. Student Rewards is built on the Builder Center and provides benefits to verified students based on their level of activity.
Students who verify enrollment and complete a Builder Center profile immediately receive a 12-month premium Skill Builder subscription, which includes more than 900 courses, hands-on labs and certification exam preparation materials. They can then earn badges through Builder Center activity such as posting articles or leaving comments, unlocking additional benefits at each tier. Seven badges earn $10 in AWS credits, 14 badges earn $20, and 21 badges earn a voucher for either the AWS Certified Cloud Practitioner or AWS Certified AI Practitioner exam. Benefits are worth up to $579 per student.
"We are putting more than $500 million into developing the next generation of cloud and AI talent," said Kim Majerus, vice president of global education and state and local government at AWS. "Student Rewards goes beyond simply offering opportunities — it will serve as a springboard that accelerates students' careers."
