San José, Costa Rica – July 29, 2025. Can a single skill determine who will get hired in the coming years? According to international organizations like the World Economic Forum, the answer is clear: Yes – and that skill is understanding artificial intelligence (AI). In its latest report on the future of work, the organization states that 75% of companies worldwide plan to adopt AI technologies within the next five years – and many are already hiring people with knowledge in this field, regardless of whether they have a technical background.
That means that knowing how AI works is no longer a luxury reserved for specialists; it’s becoming a basic tool for staying relevant in the job market – just as essential today as knowing how to read and write was in job markets past. And it’s not just about programming: more and more employers value employees who understand the fundamentals of these technologies, from executives to operational staff.
In response to this shift, the Costa Rican Investment Promotion Agency (
CINDE) and tech company IBM have joined forces to offer thousands of people in Costa Rica free online courses on artificial intelligence. All courses are in Spanish and accessible from any device with an internet connection.
“Costa Rica has the talent. What we need is to give people access to today’s tools. Through this partnership, we aim to ensure that anyone – whether a student, parent, unemployed individual, or working professional – can understand and apply AI in their career, or develop this skill as a bridge to better job opportunities,” stated Vanessa Gibson, CINDE’s Director of Investment Climate.
AI as a Bridge to Better OpportunitiesAccording to the World Economic Forum, generative AI is the fastest-growing skill in Latin America – particularly in industries like advanced
manufacturing,
healthcare,
business services, and
technology. In fact, 4 out of 10 key skills in today’s job market will change before 2030, and many of them are already tied to data management, automation, and artificial intelligence.
Free Courses, Designed for EveryoneThe alliance between CINDE and IBM is designed to close this gap by opening up opportunities for those who need them most – without requiring prior knowledge or a financial investment.
The training is delivered through
IBM SkillsBuild, a global initiative that has helped millions of people around the world. The courses are designed to adapt to different levels of knowledge and career goals, featuring interactive content, hands-on assessments, and free certification.
Highlighted modules include:
- Cybersecurity Fundamentals
- Customer Service Fundamentals with AI
- Preparing for Work with AI
- Mastering the Workplace with AI
- Entrepreneurship Fundamentals with AI
- Marketing Fundamentals with AI
If you're interested in learning about this mega-trend, sign up for the free courses
HERE.
About IBM SkillsBuildIBM SkillsBuild is a free educational program focused on underrepresented communities in the tech sector. It helps adult learners, high school and college students, and educators build valuable new skills and access career opportunities. The program features an online platform complemented by personalized, hands-on learning experiences offered in collaboration with a global network of partners.
The open-access version of IBM SkillsBuild includes more than 1,000 online courses in 20 languages covering topics like artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, data analytics, cloud computing, and many other technical fields – as well as workplace skills like Design Thinking. Most importantly, participants can earn IBM-branded digital credentials that are recognized in the job market.
The enhanced partner version of IBM SkillsBuild may also include workshops, expert lectures, mentoring from IBM coaches, project-based learning, access to IBM software, dedicated partner support throughout the learning journey, and direct connections to job opportunities.
About CINDECINDE is Costa Rica’s expert and strategic guide for investment, business development, and talent initiatives. With more than 43 years of experience working with multinational companies and serving as a key player in the country’s investment ecosystem, CINDE has led dozens of talent development initiatives that contribute to Costa Rica’s strong business climate. To date, CINDE has supported the establishment of over 450 multinational companies throughout the country.
