Automation and artificial intelligence are dramatically transforming the digital literacy skills required of global workforces—and the very nature of work. This creates challenges and opportunities. On one hand, technology-driven innovation is eliminating jobs, squeezing wages, and requiring complete retraining across agriculture, manufacturing, the service industry, and many other sectors. This is sowing workforce disruption, fear, and anxiety. On the other hand, technology trends are increasing productivity and safety, creating new jobs and entire industries, fostering entrepreneurship, and affording people more opportunities for higher-value tasks and creativity. Meanwhile, the workforces of today are suffering from a skills and vacancies gap.  Of employers surveyed, 45 percent report struggling to fill roles due to lack of skills. At the same time, some 30 to 45 percent of the working-age population around the world is underutilized—that is, unemployed, underemployed, or inactive, with young adults and women being a crucial pool of untapped labor.

The challenge: how to mitigate the worst effects of these transformations. The opportunity: how to accelerate and expand the opportunities afforded so that everyone—including those left behind and most marginalized—can fully participate and create prosperous livelihoods for themselves. 

ServiceNow, the leading digital workflow company making work, work better for people, is partnering with MIT Solve on the Digital Workforce Challenge. ServiceNow believes that technology should be in the service of people. The ServiceNow Digital Workforce Challenge is seeking tech-based solutions that:

• Increase opportunities for people—especially those traditionally left behind and most marginalized—to access digital and 21st century skills, meet employer demands, and access the jobs of today and tomorrow;
• Upskill, reskill, or retrain workers in the industries most affected by technological transformations; and
• Support underserved people in fostering entrepreneurship and creating new technologies, businesses, and jobs.

For more information, see the "How the Digital Workforce Challenge Works" page. 

Prize Funding for the Digital Workforce Challenge

US$100,000 in prize funding is available for the Digital Workforce Challenge, provided by ServiceNow.

In addition to funding, ServiceNow will be providing the selected winner of the Digital Workforce Challenge with skills-based mentorship and media opportunities.

No purchase necessary. Void where prohibited or restricted by law. Contest runs from 9:00 AM EST on 12/19/2019 to 5:00 PM EST on 3/2/2020. Must be 18 years or older (20+ in Japan) to enter or have reached the age of majority in their jurisdiction of residence as of the date of submission. Other restrictions apply.