In a world increasingly driven by artificial intelligence and remote-first work culture, access to upskilling is no longer a luxury—it’s a necessity. At Remote Skills Academy (RSA), we believe that the future of work is accessible, borderless, and inclusive. And now, with the support of new funding and growing partnerships, we’re taking bold steps to turn that belief into reality.
With over 20,000 learners upskilled to date and thousands more enrolling each year, RSA has become a driving force in preparing individuals across Southeast Asia for the future of work. From youth and women in rural Indonesia to global learners building remote careers, our programs have helped people gain the digital and AI skills needed to stay competitive in today’s economy.
Now, we’re excited to scale this impact even further. We have recently secured USD 200,000 in new funding through the AI Opportunity Fund, led by the Asian Venture Philanthropy Network (AVPN) in collaboration with Google.org and the Asian Development Bank. This marks a major milestone for us and reflects the incredible momentum behind our mission: helping workers and entrepreneurs across Southeast Asia—and the world—gain AI knowledge and digital skills that prepare them for the global economy.
But this isn’t just about the funding.
It’s about the stories, impact, and potential unlocked through learning. Here’s a look at how far we’ve come, what this new chapter means for the communities we serve, and how we’re redefining what it means to thrive in the future of work.
From Local Roots to Global Reach
The first cohort of learners graduated from the Remote Skills Academy in April 2020, just as the world was turning upside down with the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic. What started as a grassroots project incubated by Livit in Bali has since evolved into a thriving movement for digital empowerment.
Initially launched to support Indonesian youth and women in gaining the digital skills needed for remote work, RSA’s early programs focused on virtual assistance, online business management and project management. As the demand for digital talent grew, so did RSA’s vision. The curricula soon expanded to include AI literacy, digital marketing, content creation and other essential skills for the future of work.
At its core, RSA has always stood for more than just skill-building. It’s about helping individuals build successful remote careers, achieve financial independence, and live life on their own terms, regardless of where they come from.
Fast forward to today, RSA has impacted over 20,000 learners across multiple continents, offering both online and offline programs in places like Indonesia, Rwanda, Belgium, Thailand, and Hungary. With a model that blends self-paced learning, live workshops, and mentorship, RSA continues to empower a global community of learners to thrive in a rapidly changing world.
Our learners represent a wide range of backgrounds—from fresh graduates in Yogyakarta to budding entrepreneurs in rural places all over Indonesia. What unites them is a shared goal: to secure remote opportunities, build sustainable careers, and shape a future where their skills remain relevant.
When Numbers Tell a Story of Transformation
Here’s a snapshot of what our learners have achieved so far, based on our 2024’s Impact Report:
This isn’t just about statistics.
Behind every number is a learner who gained the confidence to launch a business, apply for a global role, or support their family through their new digital skills.
Why AI Upskilling Matters Now More Than Ever
We’re all aware how AI (Artificial intelligence) is rapidly transforming industries across the globe. The shift is creating both massive opportunities and significant risks for those who aren’t prepared.
From healthcare to agriculture, from finance to creative industries, AI is reshaping how tasks are completed, how decisions are made, and ultimately, how people work. For workers in Southeast Asia and beyond, gaining AI literacy is no longer optional—it’s essential for staying relevant and competitive.
Recent research supports this growing urgency. Nearly 1 in 4 new tech jobs now explicitly seek AI skills, indicating that AI competencies are becoming a standard requirement across various technology-related positions. Even more striking, a 2024 Work Trend Index Annual Report revealed that 71% of employers prefer hiring candidates with AI skills over more experienced candidates who lack them.
Yet despite this shift, millions of workers—especially in emerging markets like Indonesia—remain excluded from the AI upskilling conversation. That’s where Remote Skills Academy & AI Opportunity Fund comes in.
Through this 18-month hybrid program, RSA will provide practical AI upskilling, mentorship, and networking opportunities to 10,000 beneficiaries across Indonesia. Participants will learn not just the “how” of AI tools, but also the “why”—developing real-world skills they can apply to remote roles, digital businesses, and community projects alike.
We believe that everyone—not just those in major tech hubs—deserves access to the tools that will define tomorrow’s economy. By offering inclusive, accessible, and localized training, RSA is helping people rewrite their futures with confidence and clarity.
Scaling Our Impact, One Cohort at a Time
The support from AVPN and partners like Google.org and ADB enables us to double down on what works: personalized, practical learning that meets people where they are.
In Indonesia, the program will be available both online and offline, with in-person sessions held in Bali, Jakarta, Surabaya, Yogyakarta, and other cities in Indonesia. For our global learners, we continue to provide accessible online courses via our LMS (Learning Management System), building a truly borderless community of future-ready professionals.
We’re also doubling down on mentorship and internship opportunities in some of our programs. Our aim is to connect learners with diverse industry professionals and real-world projects to support their growth, whether through portfolio building, job applications, or launching their own ventures. These hands-on opportunities allow learners to apply their skills in social media, financial bookkeeping, project management, research assistance, and content writing—bridging the gap between learning and earning.
The results speak for themselves: 40% of interns have gone on to be recruited as full-time, part-time, or freelance team members, further proving that our programs don’t just teach, but drive tangible outcomes like paid jobs and/or freelance work.
Increased Community Participation and the Future of Work
At the heart of everything we do is community. Whether it’s the peer support in our live cohorts, the career advice shared in mentorship groups, or the alumni who come back to teach the next generation—RSA is more than a training program. It’s a movement.
As we look to the future, we’re focused on one thing: remote work opportunities accessible to all, especially those who’ve been historically left behind.
We envision a world where talent isn’t defined by geography, and where workers from Jakarta to Rwanda to other parts of the world can thrive in a tech-forward global economy. And we’re building that world, one learner at a time.
As we celebrate this milestone and look ahead to what’s next, we’re reminded that real impact isn’t created by one program or one funder. It’s created by the collective effort of people who believe that everyone deserves a shot at the future.
To our alumni, funders, mentors, and partners—thank you. Together, we’re building a world where the future of work is not just AI-ready, but inclusive, remote-friendly, and full of opportunity for everyone, everywhere.