Google invests in AI education with $75 million grants

Google has recently announced a significant initiative to invest $75 million in grants aimed at enhancing workforce development and education in the United States. The tech giant's move is part of its broader strategy to equip Americans with essential skills in artificial intelligence (AI), a field with vast potential for driving economic growth.

According to Google's senior vice president for research, technology, and society, James Manyika, AI presents substantial opportunities for boosting economic progress, provided individuals have access to the necessary resources and training. To support this goal, Google is launching the 'Google AI Essentials' online course, priced at $49 on Coursera. This course offers a 10-hour curriculum designed to impart foundational AI skills and best practices, culminating in a certificate upon completion.

Partnerships with institutions like Miami Dade College, Darden Executive Education and Lifelong Learning, and Citigroup will facilitate the delivery of the course to students and professionals seeking to enhance their AI capabilities. Google's broader objective is to address the skills gap resulting from rapid technological advancements, a challenge faced by many industries.

By investing in education and training programmes, Google aims to not only meet the demand for tech-savvy workers but also enhance its brand image and support local talent development. Similar initiatives by other tech giants, such as Microsoft Philanthropies, Amazon Future Engineer, and Meta Elevate, underscore the industry's commitment to fostering digital skills and empowering individuals for the future job market.

One of the early beneficiaries of Google's AI Opportunity Fund is Goodwill, a nonprofit organization dedicated to job training and employment support. Goodwill's CEO, Steve Preston, emphasized the importance of equipping job seekers with essential digital and AI skills to access well-paying jobs and improve economic mobility.