The first training modules will begin this year, with a second phase to follow in early 2026
Microsoft Belux and the Ministry of Defense are embarking on a program to train thousands of employees in generative AI and digital skills. The training is aimed at both operational personnel and support and management functions.
The training is aimed at both operational staff and support and management functions. With more than 25,000 employees—and plans to increase this number—the Defense Department is one of the largest employers in Belgium. The digital transformation that supports this program will have a significant impact on the functioning of the organization.
The collaboration is part of Microsoft’s broader ambition to accelerate digital transformation in Belgium and is in line with the goal of training 600,000 Belgians in AI technologies. At the Ministry of Defense, the program is specific: employees will be trained in several phases over the coming months and years to apply AI in their daily activities.
Digital as important as equipment
“We will give our employees the knowledge and skills they need to use generative AI tools, such as Copilot Chat, effectively,” explains Lieutenant General Michel Van Strythem, Head of Defense Innovation. “This is an important step towards a digitally competent organization that is aware of both the benefits and risks of generative AI.”
For Theo Francken, Minister of Defense, AI and digital technologies are now just as essential as modern equipment.
“By investing in the skills of our personnel, we are accelerating the modernization of Defense and ensuring that it is ready to meet the challenges of tomorrow.”
In the spirit of Digital AmBEtion
The announcement comes as part of an economic mission to Silicon Valley, with a visit to the Microsoft Bay Area campus led by Princess Astrid and a large delegation of federal and regional ministers. This partnership underscores Microsoft’s role as a trusted technology partner for the Belgian government and its institutions, and illustrates how local initiatives are helping to strengthen our country’s digital resilience.
“By sharing our expertise and technology, we are helping the Ministry of Defense work more efficiently and prepare its staff for the future,” said Marijke Schroos, Managing Director of Microsoft Belgium and Luxembourg. This is also why we launched the Digital AmBEtion plan in 2021: a multi-year investment plan aimed at accelerating Belgium’s digital transformation. “
This plan, it should be noted, is based on three pillars: providing world-class digital infrastructure, supporting the development of digital skills with a focus on AI training, and creating meaningful social impact.
