CompTIA Announces AI Learning, Certification Roadmap Expansion

IT certification and training body CompTIA revealed new details for its learning and certification programs in AI.

Through the new Essentials and Expansions series, CompTIA will address the need for AI skills competencies in four existing job clusters: software development, cybersecurity, systems operations (SysOps) and data analytics, as well as two emerging job roles in prompt engineering and AI systems architects.

  • CompTIA Essentials – AI Essentials (any occupation)
  • CompTIA Expansions – Sec AI+ (security engineers), PenTest AI+ (penetration testers), CySA AI+ (security analysts), Data AI+ (data analysts), AI SysOp+ (systems operations), AI Scripting+ (tech support, network operations), AI Architect+ (AI systems architects), AI Prompt+ (prompt engineers)

“The crossing of the AI chasm means workers and companies need to quickly hone their skills-building strategies across AI domains,” said Thomas Reilly, CPO, CompTIA. “CompTIA’s investments in these areas confirm our commitment to delivering best-in-class competency-based learning and certifications designed for the age of AI.”

The CompTIA Essentials series is designed to boost foundational technological competence across a range of job roles, in both tech-specific positions and adjacent occupations that rely on technology. Scheduled for release in July 2024, CompTIA AI Essentials will help learners understand the landscape of AI, the tools that are available and how they may best be applied, challenges that may arise with AI usage, how AI can enhance human work and creativity and potential future implications of AI.

CompTIA’s Expansion series, meanwhile, focuses on building deeper advanced skills for specific industries and job roles on top of an underlying CompTIA Plus (+) or Pro certification (Sec AI+ as an expansion to Security+, for example) allowing learners to keep up with technological advancements without re-treading skills previously acquired and frequently practiced.

Upcoming Expansion releases will address employer demands for AI skills in various tech disciplines, starting with cyber engineering (Security+), analytics (CySA+) and pen testing (PenTest+) job roles. This involves exploring how AI and AI-enabled tools can enhance cyber defense through quicker threat detection and response while recognizing their potential in creating sophisticated threats. Future CompTIA Expansions will focus on skillsets for fully leveraging AI in systems operations, tech support, AI systems architecture and prompt engineering.

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