San José, Costa Rica – February 17, 2025 — Technological knowledge opens doors in today’s world – there’s no doubt about it. This is especially true in the job market. According to a
global study by the IBM
Institute for Business Value, both artificial intelligence (AI) implementation and automation are expected to require 40% of the workforce to retrain within the next three years. With this in mind, and aiming to bridge gaps in this major market trend, CINDE and IBM have joined forces to offer
Costa Ricans the opportunity to receive free training in artificial intelligence.
The initiative, called “Futuro Digital,” offers a selection of seven programs, including Fundamentals and Applications of
Artificial Intelligence, Essential Cybersecurity Fundamentals with IBM, and AI-Powered Customer Service Fundamentals. Additional courses cover AI Job Readiness Preparation, Mastering the Workplace with AI, AI-Powered Entrepreneurship Fundamentals, and AI Marketing Fundamentals. These programs are designed to continue driving education forward and align with IBM’s goal of training 30 million students in artificial intelligence by 2030. In Costa Rica, IBM aims to train thousands of people in 2025, through its “Futuro Digital” program.
“At IBM, we believe in young people’s potential to drive Costa Rica’s digital transformation, and that these skills will not only help them learn something new but also open future job opportunities and enable them to build their dream careers in technology. Through our global IBM SkillsBuild program, we offer free learning opportunities that grant young people access to software, resources, artificial intelligence, and more. As leaders in technology, we take great pride in providing valuable opportunities that could change the course of people’s lives,” stated Flávia Freitas, Director of Corporate Social Responsibility for IBM Latin America.
The courses are now available to Costa Ricans at this
link, and those interested can choose any or all of the programs that suit their interests. The programs are delivered online, in Spanish, and focus on three key areas: technical skills, business competencies, and soft skills.
To achieve its global training goals, IBM collaborates with universities and nonprofit organizations with proven track records. In
Costa Rica, this initiative was developed in partnership with
CINDE, an organization with extensive experience in talent development for the multinational sector, as well as in the management of high-quality teams in key industries.
“We are excited to continue working for Costa Rica through our number one strategic pillar: Talent. Driving this initiative alongside IBM, a company with a comprehensive global vision and an understanding of emerging trends, highlights the importance of training individuals in the places where companies operate – and even beyond. Around the world, including in Costa Rica, the skills gap remains a major challenge for the successful implementation of artificial intelligence and digitalization across all industries,” commented Vanessa Gibson, Director of Investment Climate at CINDE.
Who Can Receive AI Training?Participation is open to anyone aged 18 or older who has basic knowledge of technology and internet access. Interested individuals must have an electronic device (a smartphone, tablet, or computer), an active email account, and must complete the
online registration process.Each course has a duration of 7 to 18 hours, depending on the selected program. To optimize time, participants are encouraged to complete their chosen training plan within approximately two weeks.
One of the advantages is that participants will earn IBM-branded digital credentials, which are recognized by potential employers and can be highly valuable for entry-level positions that require new roles and skills.
For additional inquiries about accessing the platform, please contact:
talentonacional@cinde.org About IBM SkillsBuildIBM SkillsBuild is a free educational program focused on underrepresented communities in the tech sector, helping adult students, high school and university students, and teachers develop valuable new skills and access professional opportunities. The program includes an online platform complemented by hands-on, personalized learning experiences, offered in collaboration with a global network of partners.
The open version of IBM SkillsBuild is an online platform offering over 1,000 courses in 20 languages, on topics such as artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, data analysis, cloud computing, and many other technical disciplines, as well as workplace skills like Design Thinking. Most importantly, participants can earn IBM-branded digital credentials, which are recognized by the job market.
The enhanced version of IBM SkillsBuild, available to partners, also includes workshops, expert discussions, coaching and mentoring sessions with IBM professionals, project-based learning, access to IBM software, specialized support from partners throughout the learning process, and connections to professional opportunities.
About CINDECINDE is the expert in and strategic guide for investment, business development, and talent initiatives in Costa Rica. With over 43 years of experience working with multinational companies and positioned as a key player in the investment ecosystem, CINDE has established dozens of talent development initiatives as a cornerstone of Costa Rica's business climate, and has supported over 450 multinational companies in establishing their local operations.
