- Talent & Leadership
Embracing the Future: My Journey with the Generative AI Foundations Certification
How lifelong learning in AI is essential for leaders and organisations alike
By Dr. Gary Gates, Managing Director, Pearson VUE
Artificial Intelligence is not just a technological revolution; it is fast becoming the heartbeat of modern industry, education, and society. As Managing Director of Pearson VUE, I have seen first-hand how the landscape is shifting, not only in what businesses need, but in what individuals must become. Today, I’d like to share my personal journey of taking and passing the Critical Career Skills Generative AI Foundations certification Pearson VUE offers through our Certiport business, and why I believe this kind of upskilling is essential for every professional, regardless of their role or background.
AI: A universal imperative
Where once AI was the domain of research labs and science fiction, it is now an integral part of daily operations across almost every sector, from healthcare to finance, logistics to education, retail to entertainment. Its influence is universal, fuelling a transformation in how older processes are modernised, tasks are completed more efficiently, and customers realise greater value.
This is not just a passing fad. Around the world, governments and businesses are recognising the imperative to invest in AI literacy and capability building. China recently introduced mandatory AI education in primary and secondary schools, beginning with interactive games for children as young as six years old and advancing to machine learning for older students, with eight hours of AI instruction per year as a baseline. The UAE announced a similar integration of AI into its national curriculum, which began in August 2025. These are not isolated efforts — many countries are weaving AI education into the very fabric of their schooling, ensuring that the next generation of leaders, policymakers, entrepreneurs, and workers consider AI as fundamental as reading or mathematics.
This global momentum sends a clear message: AI is here to stay. For those of us who completed our schooling before this AI revolution, the challenge is even more urgent. We must take responsibility for our own learning, ensuring we remain relevant and competitive in a world where AI fluency is becoming the baseline.
The role of business in the age of generative AI
Forward-thinking organisations are not waiting for the world to catch up. They are leading the way. I am proud to say that at Pearson VUE, we are not only offering certifications in AI but also encouraging our employees to become trained and certified in the use of generative AI. Businesses are increasingly vetting generative AI applications for safe and effective use by their teams, recognising that the competitive edge will belong to those who can harness these tools most effectively. The Pearson Skills Map US report sums it up well, stating “as technology becomes central to the operations of all organisations, all jobs will become tech jobs in one way or another.”
But the responsibility does not stop at the technical teams. AI is not a siloed specialty, and the days when senior leadership could rely solely on technologists for AI guidance are numbered. As AI projects become embedded in business strategies across the enterprise, every leader, whether CEO, COO, MD, or other internal and external stakeholder, needs a foundational understanding of AI. Without a shared baseline of AI literacy, the risk is a widening knowledge gulf, reminiscent of the “tech jargon chasm” that separated business and technology leaders in the 1980s. This is a gap we simply cannot afford.
That is why, despite my years of experience and a PhD in Computational Physics, I decided to undertake the Generative AI Foundations certification. I wanted to experience first-hand what learners gain from this credential and demonstrate that upskilling is not just for the next generation, but a lifelong journey for all of us.
Dr. Gary Gates, Managing Director, Pearson VUE
The very nature of AI, its rapid evolution and unprecedented potential, means that learning can never be static.
The learning experience: Challenging, relevant, inspiring
I have spent much of my life immersed in technical subjects and hard work, but I will admit: the pace of technological change, especially in AI, can be daunting even for the most seasoned professionals. Taking on new certifications is something we must accept as a normal part of our professional journey. The very nature of AI, its rapid evolution and unprecedented potential, means that learning can never be static.
The Generative AI Foundations certification is designed to be both accessible to and engaging for a broad audience. The study materials provide a comprehensive foundation, covering the history of AI, the development of generative methods and models, essential principles of prompt engineering and refinement (a core process in interacting with Gen AI systems), and an overview of the societal impacts of AI, including bias recognition and privacy considerations. Additionally, the curriculum includes an overview of tools and applications currently transforming various industries and aspects of daily life. Its examination of diverse types of generative AI, from text and image generation to practical business use cases, offers valuable and directly applicable insights.
Perhaps most important, the programme devotes significant attention to the ethical and legal considerations of AI. In an age where AI-generated content can blur the lines of authorship, veracity, and even legality, understanding the responsibilities that come with these technologies is critical. I was especially heartened to see that the certification content is regularly reviewed and updated to reflect the pace of change in the field; a commitment that ensures lifelong learners like me are always at the frontier of knowledge.
The impact of certification: For individuals and organisations
The Pearson 2025 Value of IT Certification Candidate Report provides compelling evidence of the benefits of certification, and particularly upskilling in AI, both for individuals and the organisations they serve. The impact is measurable and significant:
- Certified employees are making a tangible difference: 79% saw an increase in the quality of their work; 76% reported greater ability to innovate and enhance outcomes; and 70% became more productive on the job.
- Lifelong learning is the new career imperative: 84% of candidates are likely or very likely to pursue another IT certification in the next 12 months, and the number of certifications held increases significantly with age and career tenure.
- The number of candidates planning to earn a certification in AI and machine learning more than doubled in just two years—from 17% in 2022 to 35% in 2024.
- AI is now the second largest specialty area in which candidates plan to pursue certification.
- 69% of employers have started or increased investments in AI, recognising both the risk of inaction and the opportunity for leadership.
These statistics tell a clear story: continuous learning and certification are not just “nice-to-haves.” They are essential for career longevity and organisational competitiveness in the AI age.
Dr. Gary Gates, Managing Director, Pearson VUE
The younger generations will benefit from AI education built into their schooling. For the rest of us, proactivity is key.
Upskill, certify, and lead
If there is a message I hope you take away from my experience, it is this: Do not wait for AI to shape your world. Shape your world with AI.
Take the opportunity to learn as much as you can about this transformative technology. Get certified, so you can demonstrate your skills and confidence to employers, colleagues, and clients alike.
The younger generations will benefit from AI education built into their schooling. For the rest of us, proactivity is key. We must be open to continuous upskilling, staying abreast of the changes in AI as it continues to evolve and touch every aspect of our lives and organisations.
As business leaders, it is not enough to delegate this responsibility. We must lead by example, bridging the knowledge gap and fostering an environment where curiosity, adaptability, and lifelong learning are the norms.
Shaping the future, together
My journey with the Generative AI Foundations certification has been both rewarding and inspiring. I am proud to have joined the growing number of professionals who are not just preparing for the future, but actively helping to shape it. At Pearson VUE, we remain committed to enabling this journey for as many learners as possible, because the future belongs to those who never stop learning.
Let us seize this moment, together, and ensure that AI becomes a tool for empowerment, innovation, and positive change for ourselves, our organisations, and the world.