PwC is known for hosting “prompting parties” to help employees become more comfortable with using AI tools. The firm’s chief learning officer identified the need for a safe environment where employees can experiment with generative AI in a low-stakes setting. In response, PwC announced a $1 billion investment over three years to enhance its AI capabilities.
Generative AI is reshaping the workplace, yet many employees remain uncertain about how to effectively utilize it. To bridge this gap, PwC introduced “prompting parties” to encourage hands-on exploration. These group sessions, facilitated by company AI leaders or teams, allow employees to work collaboratively on real use cases using tools like Microsoft Copilot and ChatPwC.
The prompting parties serve as a sandbox for employees to play with AI tools without the pressure of client projects or formal tasks. By experimenting in a supportive group setting, employees can learn from each other’s prompts, sparking creativity and boosting confidence in utilizing AI. Since launching, PwC has hosted nearly 500 prompting parties with over 880 more requested, indicating a growing demand for AI skills development within the organization.
For PwC, empowering employees with AI proficiency is crucial, given that clients often seek their expertise on AI-related inquiries. As the professional services industry evolves, keeping pace with technological advancements like AI becomes imperative. PwC’s proactive approach to AI training reflects a broader trend where companies are investing in upskilling initiatives to equip their workforce with the necessary tools for success.
“The human interaction is always going to matter,” she said. Going forward, Houde expressed her enthusiasm for the potential of AI in creating personalized learning and development plans tailored to individuals’ current skills and career aspirations. Rather than offering generic training recommendations for all, AI has the capability to identify and suggest the most relevant training opportunities for each person.
“AI is now enabling us to understand the skills our people possess and establish connections between their current skills and the ones they will need to advance,” stated Houde.
