Axios is reporting about PwC Us’s plans to upskill its workforce on AI, spending $1 billion over the next three years on its 65,000 workers.
PwC’s plans involve partnering with Microsoft and using its Azure OpenAI platform to build products and technologies for its clients and itself.
The partnership “will allow us to teach models in our controlled environment, not in the public space,” a concern many clients have, Joe Atkinson, PwC’s chief products and technology officer, tells Axios.
And while I’m on workers… According to a recent survey commissioned by the cloud security platform Devo, the vast majority of cybersecurity workers have used an AI tool without authorization at work. Eighty percent of 200 IT security professionals admitted to using such a tool, while a further 23% said they were aware a colleague had done so. While the survey doesn’t identify which tools, 78% said they felt their organization would request that they cease using the software if they became aware of it—at least until a risk assessment could be carried out.
Those are the security people! They’re the ones who are using software without permission! Remember that the next time you get frustrated with users in general… the people who know better ignore the policies. And additionally, note how much they value AI and break policy over it.
And that AI value resonates so much that PwC is training its people. Sure, this is the kind of early PR one does to send a signal to customers… but it’s a signal to customers. Providers should consider their plans here and how they plan to signal customers that they are serious about AI.