As such, I believe the pledge is a great initiative to focus the partner community on these key challenges and ask them to make a commitment to progress on these topics.  We've signed the partner pledge and this blog is our public commitment to play a role, in our own small way, to making progress on each of these issues.  Below, for completeness, is the commitment Cindy created, that we subscribe to:

Our organisation will therefore strive to, wherever possible:

• Ensure we are an ambassador of Microsoft UK’s Digital Skills Programme:

• Raise internal awareness of the Digital Skills Programme and take advantage of all opportunities to provide staff with new skills training;
• Promote the Digital Skills Programme to customers.

• Ensure we are promoting Apprenticeships:

• Review minimum requirements in selection criteria for early-in-career roles – particularly whether a degree is truly required or not;
• Commit to at least one apprentice across one of the programmes offered through Microsoft’s Apprenticeship Learning Partners in FY19;
• Wherever possible look to ensure a diverse workforce;
• Seek opportunities to inform young people about digital careers. e.g. by enabling past apprentices to visit schools and colleges, or by providing work experience opportunities.

• Ensure we are building AI in a responsible and ethical way, consistent with AI design principles such as:

• Fairness – Use AI to drive efficiencies while protecting dignity and guarding against bias;
• Accountability – Decisions made by AI must be accountable to citizens and consumers;
• Explainable – AI must be explainable and understandable;
• Ethics – AI must assist humanity and respect rights, such as privacy.