How ready is Georgia for the AI era, and why did Skillwill create a new professional program that never existed before?
Opinions expressed by 91成人 contributors are their own.
You're reading 91成人 Georgia, an international franchise of 91成人 Media.
Artificial Intelligence has already become part of our modern business reality, although its systematic implementation is still in its early days. That is why demand is growing for professionals who can transform this technology into tangible business results.
Skillwill is responding to these changes. As Georgia's leading technology education provider, it prepares people today for the professions of tomorrow. The college has developed five new professional programs, among them Artificial Intelligence Implementation and Process Automation.
Why is technical knowledge alone no longer enough? How is professional education changing? And how can technological talent become one of Georgia's greatest competitive advantages? 91成人 Georgia spoke with Giorgi Mariamidze, Founder and CEO of Skillwill, to get his take on these topics.
People often say that AI is changing everything. In your view, what actually is changing, and what motivated you to create these new programs?
AI is changing the way we work, make decisions, and build products. The key question is no longer "Should we use AI?" but rather "How do we use it effectively?"
We want the education we provide to stay several steps ahead of those changes. That's why we prepare people for the professions and competencies that are already in demand today and will become even more sought after in the coming years.
With this in mind, we developed five new professional programs:
- Data Analytics
- Digital Marketing
- Artificial Intelligence Implementation and Process Automation
- IT Project Management
- Software Testing
The Artificial Intelligence Implementation and Process Automation program seems to be attracting the most interest. What makes it different?
This is not a course on how to use ChatGPT. The program prepares professionals who can implement AI within companies, automate processes, build AI agents, and optimize workflows, allowing business to save both time and resources in measurable ways.
Where does Georgia stand today from the technological development perspective, and what opportunities does artificial intelligence create for the country?
The technological era has changed the geography of success: a great idea can emerge anywhere in the world and become a global product. The stories of Meta, Bolt, and Wise demonstrate that, in technology, the decisive factors are knowledge, ideas, speed, and the right environment.
Georgia's opportunity also lies in its people. Today, local talent has access to the same tools used by the world's leading companies, can build globally competitive products from Georgia, and participates in international projects.
In 2020, the Government of Georgia introduced International Company Status, granting eligible IT companies a reduced corporate income tax and employee income tax rate of 5%, while eliminating dividend tax altogether. This decision made Georgia a more attractive destination for international technology businesses, leading companies such as EPAM Systems, Exadel, DataArt, Grid Dynamics, and Lineate to establish or expand their operations in the country.
AI strengthens this opportunity even further. Our goal is for Georgia not only to consume technology, but also to create products, companies, and jobs. That is why investment in education, professional training, and technological skills is so critical.
Does this mean the role of professional education is changing as well?
Absolutely. Education should no longer simply respond to existing market demand, it must anticipate change and prepare people for the realities ahead. This is exactly where we see Skillwill's responsibility and leadership role: creating programs that address the future needs of the labor market.
You've also been working closely with businesses. You recently held intensive AI workshops for managers in partnership with the Business Association of Georgia, as well as a closed-door session. What has this experience shown you?
Businesses have already realized that AI is no longer solely the responsibility of technology departments, and that it has become part of the agenda for CEOs and senior management too.
The intensive program delivered with the Business Association of Georgia, along with the AI for Business Workshop, focused on decision-making, organizational transformation, and leadership.
This experience has shown us that Georgian businesses have already moved beyond asking, "Should we use AI?" They are now asking, "How do we implement it effectively?" Close collaboration with businesses also helps us ensure that the content of our programs reflects real market needs.
What is Skillwill's vision for the future, and what are your plans going forward?
Our goal is to transform our leadership in technology education into tangible impact, to educate more people, expand into more regions, and strengthen the connection between education and the needs of businesses.
As Georgia's leading technology education provider, Skillwill currently operates in Tbilisi and Batumi, and will soon establish a presence at the Kutaisi Technology Hub. Our objective is to make high-quality technology education accessible throughout Georgia's regions.
The college has already enrolled more than 2,000 students, and is currently preparing for a large-scale autumn intake, with plans to admit approximately 5,000 students. These figures clearly demonstrate how rapidly demand is growing for practical, modern education aligned with the needs of today's labor market.
