Google said on Friday that it is awarding $75 million in grants to workforce development and educational institutions to train Americans in artificial intelligence (AI). The funds are made possible by Google’s AI Opportunity Fund.
“If people have access to the right resources and training, AI offers significant opportunities to accelerate economic growth,” stated James Manyika, senior vice president for research, technology, and society at Google, in a release.
In order to assist in teaching fundamental AI skills and best practices, the search engine behemoth is now releasing the Google AI Essentials online course. People who want to learn how to use AI in their daily work can enroll in the $49 course on Coursera. Those who successfully complete the 10-hour course will receive a certificate. Students and working professionals will be able to enroll in the course through Miami Dade College and Darden Executive Education and Lifelong Learning partnerships. The workshop will also be used by Citigroup to upskill staff members.
The company’s charitable arm, Google.org, seeks to close the skills gap brought on by the quick advancement of technology. Google creates initiatives and subsidies to support the development of a workforce that is more computer-savvy in light of the demand for tech workers. These kinds of educational initiatives support tech corporations in breaking into emerging markets, developing local talent, and enhancing their brand image. Other large tech-focused charitable institutions are Meta Elevate, Amazon Future Engineer, and Microsoft Philanthropies.
Goodwill, a nonprofit that supports job training and employment, was one of the first recipients of Google’s AI Opportunity Fund.
“We can help US jobseekers attain the core digital and AI skills needed to step into well-paying jobs and greater prospects for economic mobility,” Steve Preston, CEO of Goodwill Industries, stated.
This is not Google.org’s first attempt at philanthropy powered by AI. The goal of Generative AI for Educators is to facilitate the usage of AI tools by educators.