Getting Nontechnical People to 'Geek Out' with AI

Send us a text

Naria Santa Lucia is the General Manager of Elevate at Microsoft, where she leads global education, workforce, and skilling programs that have already reached over 100 million learners. With 20+ years of experience across corporate, nonprofit, and international organizations, she has partnered with the UN, World Bank, and Ministries of Education worldwide to advance AI, cybersecurity, and sustainability skills.

💡 5 Things You’ll Learn in This Episode:

1. Why Microsoft calls this a once-in-a-generation workforce moment
2. How Elevate combines global reach with local trust
3. Which AI and human skills will define the future of work
4. Why credentials are central to equity and career pathways
5. How public-private partnerships drive scale and impact

✨ Episode Highlights
[00:02:04] Why this is a unique moment for workforce development
[00:04:24] 70% of job skills may change by 2030
[00:07:55] Inside Microsoft’s Elevate global skilling initiative
[00:10:14] Public-private partnerships to scale AI education
[00:13:29] Teachers using AI and Copilot in the classroom
[00:18:50] Designing for users, developers, and organizations
[00:24:21] Credentials as signals of AI readiness
[00:28:11] Teachers in Jordan earning pay bumps with AI certifications
[00:33:17] The rise of human skills in the AI era
[00:37:19] Microsoft’s mission to empower every person and organization 

😎 Stay updated with Edtech Insiders! 

• Follow our Podcast on:
  • Apple Podcasts
  • Spotify
  • Amazon Music
• Sign up for the Edtech Insiders newsletter.
• Follow Edtech Insiders on LinkedIn!

🎉 Presenting Sponsor/s:

This season of Edtech Insiders is once again brought to you by Tuck Advisors, the M&A firm for EdTech companies. Run by serial entrepreneurs with over 30 years of experience founding, investing in, and selling companies, Tuck believes you deserve M&A advisors who work as hard as you do.

Innovation in preK to gray learning is powered by exceptional people. For over 15 years, EdTech companies of all sizes and stages have trusted HireEducation to find the talent that drives impact. When specific skills and experiences are mission-critical, HireEducation is a partner that delivers. Offering permanent, fractional, and executive recruitment, HireEducation knows the go-to-market talent you need. Learn more at HireEdu.com.

Every year, K-12 districts and higher ed institutions spend over half a trillion dollars—but most sales teams miss the signals. Starbridge tracks early signs like board minutes, budget drafts, and strategic plans, then helps you turn them into personalized outreach—fast. Win the deal before it hits the RFP stage. That’s how top edtech teams stay ahead.