When I completed my formal education, the Internet as we know it today did not exist. Yet, for the past 20 years, my career has relied on the transformation brought about by the worldwide web.
Today, technology stands at another potentially significant turning point. AI has the immense potential to enhance people’s lives and address some of society’s most pressing issues. For example, AlphaFold is aiding over 1.7 million researchers in understanding diseases and discovering new biorenewable materials, while Project Relate is aiding individuals with non-standard speech to communicate more effectively.
We are boldly and responsibly pursuing AI to ensure that everyone can benefit from its potential. Innovation has always been a collaborative effort, and AI is no exception. We are dedicated to playing our part by collaborating with EU Governments, civil society, academics, and businesses to navigate the path to integrating this technology safely and inclusively.
Unveiling the AI Opportunity Initiative
For AI to be beneficial to everyone, it must be developed by and accessible to all. Consequently, we are launching the AI Opportunity Initiative for Europe today to provide training and skills to help individuals and nations effectively embrace the potential of AI.
Europe can lead the way in leveraging AI to create a robust and equitable economy, with more productive industries, more meaningful employment, and a multitude of new job opportunities. We aim to contribute to empowering Europe’s workforce and supporting people through periods of change, ensuring that everyone reaps the benefits.
Back in 2015, we introduced “Grow with Google,” which offered free training to address the digital skills gap in the EU. We were amazed by the demand. Since then, we have provided digital skills training to over 12 million people across Europe in partnership with governments, small business associations, trade unions, NGOs, and local communities. Many of the individuals who received training have gone on to advance their careers, launch new businesses, or secure new employment using the skills they acquired.
Our new AI Opportunity Initiative for Europe is built on this experience. In collaboration with governments and local communities, we will offer a range of foundational and advanced AI training to assist vulnerable communities, startups, and everyone else.
It includes:
AI training and skills for vulnerable communities
As part of the AI Opportunity Initiative for Europe, we are announcing a 25 million euro funding from Google.org to support AI training and skills for individuals across Europe, with a specific focus on vulnerable and underserved communities. We will initially allocate 10 million euros to equip workers with the necessary skills to avoid being left behind.
Our AI Opportunity Fund: Europe, in partnership with the Centre for Public Impact, is soliciting applications from social enterprises and nonprofits that can assist us in reaching individuals most likely to benefit from this training. Selected organizations will receive customized and facilitated training on foundational AI in local languages delivered directly to the workers in their communities, as well as financial grants for essential support services such as childcare or compensation for income loss, to eliminate barriers to learning.
Adrian Brown, Executive Director at the Centre for Public Impact, stated: “AI has the potential to transform the world for the better. Yet research indicates that the benefits of AI could worsen existing inequalities, particularly concerning economic security and employment. This new program will help people across Europe develop their knowledge, skills, and confidence in AI, ensuring that no one is left behind.”
Support for startups
Our AI Opportunity Initiative also encompasses a new series of Google for Startups Growth Academies across Europe, the Middle East, and Africa. This equity-free program is designed to support startups utilizing AI to address society’s major challenges in health, education, and cybersecurity. It assists startups in expanding their user base, scaling their operations, and going global with the help of Google’s products, best practices, and connections to experts. We are currently accepting applications for the Growth Academy: AI for Health.
New training for everyone
As the final part of the AI Opportunity Initiative, we are expanding our AI foundational courses to 18 languages. These courses are free of charge and available to everyone, offering a series of modules on introductory AI skills to help individuals and businesses acquire practical skills and knowledge.
In addition, we will be adding more resources to our existing Google Career Certificates program, which are three to six months in length and provide a professional certificate, to help learners discover how professionals in their fields are using AI, while gaining hands-on experience applying AI to workplace scenarios.
AI has the potential to help us build a better, fairer, and healthier society, while also supporting competitiveness and inclusive growth. It is the responsibility of all of us to make this a reality by working boldly, responsibly, and collaboratively.
