Gerardo Franco

Biography

Gerardo Franco is an AI workforce transformation leader, former diplomat, and strategy consultant with over 20 years of experience at the intersection of technology, policy, and economic development. As Director of Global Workforce Partnerships at Microsoft Elevate, he builds global coalitions, partnerships, and policy ecosystems that help governments, employers, institutions, and workers navigate the transition to an AI-powered economy.

This role builds on his previous leadership as AI Skills Director, where he led large-scale initiatives across Europe, the Middle East, and Africa to expand AI readiness and inclusive growth. Today, Gerardo focuses on strengthening workforce systems at scale by connecting global partners, policy platforms, labor organizations, multilateral institutions, employers, and civil society to accelerate responsible AI adoption and economic opportunity.

Throughout his career, Gerardo has built and led strategic collaborations across public, private, and nonprofit sectors, advancing system-level approaches to digital equity, skills development, and innovation. His background in diplomacy and consulting gives him a distinctive ability to operate across diverse geographies and stakeholder environments, with a strong emphasis on responsible and inclusive AI.