What happened
Shakira’s foundation has joined the “AWS Entrena Latinas” initiative, which offers free cloud‑computing and AI courses in Spanish. The program, co‑developed by Amazon Music, Amazon Web Services and the nonprofit Laboratoria, will launch in Colombia and target women linked to the Fundación Pies Descalzos. Participants can earn introductory AWS certifications in AI, with the broader goal of reaching one million women across Latin America by 2028 and raising female representation in the tech sector from the current 26 % toward 50 %.
The announcement was made in a CNN en Español report on 6 October 2026. Shakira, who is concluding a residency in Madrid, is leveraging her public platform to promote the program, which is delivered through the Fundación Pies Descalzos. The partnership with Amazon Music and AWS provides the curriculum, while Laboratoria supplies instructional design and local outreach.
Courses are offered at no cost and are taught in Spanish. They cover foundational cloud concepts and introduce AI services such as Amazon SageMaker, Rekognition and Lex. Participants who complete the modules can sit for AWS certification exams, which are also subsidized for the cohort. The first cohort will begin in Colombia, with plans to expand to other Latin American countries over the next two years.
Source details: cnnespanol.cnn.com ↗
Why it matters
The initiative tackles two persistent challenges: the gender gap in technology and the scarcity of accessible AI education in Spanish‑speaking regions. By providing free, industry‑validated credentials, the program could open pathways to higher‑paying tech jobs for women who might otherwise lack formal training. If the 2028 target is met, the effort would represent a sizable increase in the regional AI talent pool, potentially influencing hiring practices, startup formation, and the overall competitiveness of Latin America’s digital economy.
Gender disparity remains a structural issue in the tech workforce; women hold only about a quarter of technical roles in the region. By targeting women—especially students and mothers linked to the foundation—the program addresses both skill gaps and socioeconomic barriers.
AI talent shortages are a global concern. Building a of certified AI practitioners in Spanish can help Latin American firms adopt advanced technologies more rapidly, reducing reliance on external consultants and fostering home‑grown innovation.
The collaboration between a high‑profile artist, a major cloud provider and a nonprofit education organization illustrates a novel model for scaling tech education through celebrity influence and corporate resources.
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What to watch next
Key indicators to monitor include enrollment numbers, certification completion rates, and subsequent employment outcomes for graduates. Follow‑up reporting from AWS, Laboratoria and the Fundación Pies Descalzos will reveal whether the program scales beyond Colombia and how corporate partners may expand job placement pipelines. Policy makers may also reference the initiative when shaping gender‑inclusion strategies for the broader tech sector.
Enrollment trends: early uptake in Colombia will indicate demand and the effectiveness of outreach through the foundation.
Certification outcomes: the proportion of participants who achieve AWS AI certifications will signal program quality and relevance.
Employment impact: tracking job placements or internships secured by graduates will help assess whether the initiative translates into tangible economic benefits.
Geographic expansion: announcements of new launch sites beyond Colombia will show the scalability of the model.