Through its AI Opportunities Fund, Google is awarding $75 million in grants to workforce development and education organizations to teach Americans how to use AI, the company announced in a press release Friday.
“AI presents a huge opportunity to accelerate economic growth, especially when people have access to the right resources and training,” said James Manica, Google's senior vice president of research, technology and society.
The search giant is also launching the Google AI Essentials online course to help teach basic AI skills and best practices. This course costs $49 on Coursera and teaches people how to use AI in their daily work. After completing the 10-hour course, you will receive a certificate. Miami Dade College and Darden Executive Education and Continuing Learning offer courses to students and professionals. Citigroup also plans to use the course to upskill its employees.
Google.org, the company's philanthropic arm, aims to fill the skills gap created by rapid advances in technology. Given the demand for technology workers, Google offers grants and programs to help create a more tech-savvy workforce. For technology companies, this type of educational program helps improve the brand's image, while also developing local talent and helping them enter emerging markets. Other Big Tech-driven charities include Microsoft Philanthropies, Amazon Future Engineer, and Meta Elevate.
An initial recipient of Google's AI Opportunity Fund is Goodwill, a nonprofit that supports job training and employment.
Goodwill CEO Steve Preston said, “The core digital and AI technologies that America's job seekers need to land well-paying jobs and have greater potential for economic mobility We can help them acquire skills.”
This isn't Google.org's first foray into AI-driven philanthropy. Generative AI for Educators aims to enable teachers to use her AI tools in the classroom.
