Portugal to train 100,000 workers in artificial intelligence

The Portuguese government has announced an initiative to train 100,000 workers in artificial intelligence to boost national productivity. Minister of Economy Castro Almeida noted that while large corporations are already conducting massive AI training, Portugal's economic fabric is largely composed of micro and small enterprises, which average only three employees per company. This size makes it difficult for such businesses to integrate AI into their production processes.

A pilot project is scheduled to begin in October in the Leiria region, providing AI training to approximately 100 workers from various companies. This will serve as a model for a nationwide rollout. Additionally, a second pilot program will be organized in Marinha Grande focusing on the mold sector, involving five or six companies to test how AI can benefit specific industrial operations.

The ultimate goal is to scale these training sessions from the Minho region to the Algarve, ensuring workers in micro, small, and medium-sized enterprises are equipped to implement AI within their organizations.