As agentic AI moves from buzzword to business reality, Pearson is doubling down on its mission to close the growing skills gap—before it becomes a full-blown economic chasm.
The lifelong learning giant announced a major expansion of its AI learning content portfolio, targeting K–12, higher education, professionals, and enterprise learners alike. The update comes on the heels of Pearson’s fast-growing Generative AI Foundations Certification, which has seen monthly double-digit growth since launching in October 2024.
This isn’t just another pile of AI courses. The expanded offerings include certifications and training programs designed specifically around agentic AI—systems capable of autonomous decision-making—and other bleeding-edge technologies like retrieval-augmented generation (RAG), Model Context Protocol (MCP), and ethical AI implementation.
“The acceleration of AI innovation, including agentic AI, is fundamentally changing the skills landscape,” said Art Valentine, CEO of Pearson US. “We’re committed to teaching AI—and using AI—to transform learning itself.”
AI Skills or Economic Spill
The stakes couldn’t be higher. According to industry estimates, the growing skills gap could cost the U.S. economy $1.1 trillion annually, and the U.K. is staring down a £100 billion shortfall. As AI continues its rapid march into every corner of work and life, the ability to understand, leverage, and ethically apply it is quickly becoming the dividing line between future-ready professionals and those left behind.
Pearson is positioning itself as the bridge.
In the last year, the company nearly doubled its AI-related live training hours—jumping from 580 to 996. Now, with new agentic AI content and fresh partnerships with Microsoft, AWS, and Google, it aims to help students and professionals not just keep up, but get ahead.
“Generic AI literacy isn’t enough anymore,” said Sinan Ozdemir, Pearson author and course leader. “Learners need the tools to engage with AI meaningfully—especially as these technologies become embedded in everyday workflows.”
Inside Pearson’s Expanded AI Ecosystem
Here’s what’s new:
Agentic AI Courses
- Agentic AI and Cybersecurity Risks (live training) – Petar Radanliev
- AI Agents A–Z (live training) – Sinan Ozdemir
- Create AI Agents with MCP (live training) – Bruce Hopkins
- RAG and Agents Using LLMs (live training) – Sinan Ozdemir
- Modern Automated AI Agents (video course) – Sinan Ozdemir
Professional Upskilling
- Jumpstart Your AI Career – Anne T. Griffin
- Enhance Your Productivity with AI – Tiago Costa
- Generative AI Toolbox – Shaun Wassell
- AI-Powered Leadership – Silberman, Maltzman, Abramo, Kanabar
- Microsoft Copilot Pro Step by Step – Lisa Crosbie
- AI for Absolute Beginners – Michael Miller
- Cybersecurity in an AI World – Omar Santos
Certifications and Recognitions
- The Generative AI Foundations Certification, now available in nine languages, is seeing widespread adoption across K–12, higher ed, and the corporate sector.
- Pearson’s EPQ:AI pathway is now accessed by tens of thousands of students internationally.
- AI Literacy modules will roll out across Pearson platforms this fall (MyLab, Mastering, Revel), with Credly badges awarded for completion—credentials designed to carry weight with colleges and employers alike.
Context: A Rapidly Changing AI Education Landscape
Pearson’s timing is strategic. In the past year, major education providers—from Coursera to edX—have scrambled to launch AI certification programs. What sets Pearson apart is its depth in both traditional academia and enterprise training, paired with an aggressive push to embed AI directly into its platforms and curricula.
With over 80% of Pearson products now digital or digitally enabled, the company is using AI not just as a topic of study, but as a delivery mechanism—personalizing content, assisting with revision, and even driving new research on how students learn best with AI.
From virtual high schools like Connections Academy to university-level EPQs, Pearson is tapping into every stage of the lifelong learning journey—and trying to make sure no one is left behind as AI takes the wheel.
As agentic AI systems grow smarter and more autonomous, demand for skilled, AI-literate talent is soaring. Pearson’s expanded AI portfolio isn’t just a response—it’s a play to lead the education sector into the next era of intelligent learning. The future of work won’t wait, and with this update, neither will learners.
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