Exploring ideas without limits at the Horizons summit

We are very excited to have recently returned from our first Horizons summit, an annual event that focuses on bringing together innovators focused on transforming the education and workforce systems.

The summit, presented by our partner Jobs for the Future (JFF), brought together more than 1,500 educators, employers, investors, policymakers, workforce professionals, philanthropists, and entrepreneurs to explore ideas to drive equitable economic advancement for all. As a program sponsor, we were able to introduce GitLab Foundation and our work to potential grantee organizations, nonprofits, funders and other stakeholders in the workforce development field. 

Artificial Intelligence (AI) was a dominant theme throughout the summit, as it holds the potential to revolutionize the ways in which people work and learn. The GitLab Foundation is embracing the potential benefits that AI offers, and we took to the stage to announce a new AI for Economic Opportunity grant fund that we will be launching in July.

JFF also highlighted the need to explore AI further with the launch of the Center for Artificial Intelligence & the Future of Work, incubated at JFFLabs with the aim to convene stakeholders across sectors to shape the national dialogue on AI and the future of work and learning. Specifically, the center hopes to ensure that AI accelerates access to quality jobs by shaping policy, practice, and investment in innovative solutions. As a proud partner of JFF, we’re thrilled to see them launch this new investment to help address the many challenging facets of AI to help workers thrive. 

We were also delighted to be part of several events exploring how to progress the Educational Quality Outcomes Standards (EQOS) framework to measure education and training programs based on employment and earnings outcomes. The event highlighted one of the Foundation's first grants, to support the expansion of EQOS by JFF and The Burning Glass Institute. Together, they are working to create consumer- and employer-friendly applications that make it easier for job seekers and employers to assess short-term education and training credentialing programs. 

Horizons was an amazing event filled with new connections and partnerships emerging from a unique collaborative atmosphere! We can’t wait for next year.