Google commits €25 million to boost AI training and skills in Europe

Google has announced €25 million (approx. $27 million) funding to boost AI training and skills in Europe. The funding is part of its AI Opportunity Initiative which will provide foundational and advanced AI training to people across the region. The initiative will have a particular focus on vulnerable and underserved communities, while simultaneously supporting startups and the general public.

Google to help Europeans seize the opportunity of AI with its initiative

Artificial intelligence or AI has revolutionized a wide range of industries and is reshaping the global economy. As AI adoption grows, it will impact society in new ways—some good and some bad. Google says AI will create new opportunities for people who can understand and utilize its potential. Through its AI Opportunity Initiative, the company wants to empower Europeans with skills that will help them seize the opportunity.

“Europe can lead the way in harnessing AI to create a strong and equitable economy — with more productive industries, more meaningful work, and many new kinds of jobs. We want to play our part in empowering Europe’s workforce, supporting people through change so that everyone can benefit,” said Matt Brittin, the President of Google EMEA (Europe, the Middle East, and Africa).

Google is working with European governments and local communities to ensure that its initiative reaches the people who are most likely to benefit from this training. It has teamed up with the Centre for Public Impact and is seeking applications from social enterprises and nonprofits who can help it maximize the impact of the initiative. The firm will provide bespoke and facilitated training to selected organizations.

Google will also provide cash grants to these organizations for critical wraparound support. The company will begin with €10 million in funding dedicated to equipping workers with the AI skills they need to enhance their productivity so they aren’t left behind in this ever-evolving world of AI. The initiative will also help startups leverage AI to scale their business across Europe, the Middle East, and Africa.

Google now offers AI foundational courses in 18 languages

As part of the AI Opportunity Initiative, Google has expanded its AI foundational courses to 18 languages. The courses are available to everyone for free. They include a series of modules on AI skills tailored to help people and businesses develop practical skills and knowledge. Google also plans to add more AI resources to its Google Career Certificates program that offers a professional certificate.

This isn’t the first such initiative Google has launched in Europe. In 2015, the company debuted the “Grow with Google” initiative to offer free training on digital skills. It has so far trained over 12 million people across the region. The tech behemoth says that many of the people it trained “have gone on to grow their careers, start new businesses, or get a new job using what they learned.”