Over recent decades, innovation and technology have benefited people across the U.S. and around the world, providing previously unimaginable access to information, increasing global life expectancies, and in the past thirty years, pulling over a billion people out of extreme poverty.
The world is now at a pivotal moment in the development of AI. We’re already seeing the progress it is making possible – sparking scientific breakthroughs, helping governments serve people better, and empowering workers, learners, and businesses across the United States. As it continues to develop, we’re excited about the opportunities AI will create for people and businesses of all sizes to innovate and grow.
And yet, according to the World Economic Forum, despite the rising demand for AI skills, only half of workers have access to adequate AI training opportunities today.
At Google, we’ve always been committed to making information universally accessible, and this moment is no different. We must continue to invest in people, education, and training programs that help workers, learners, and small businesses of all backgrounds learn to use AI effectively. And we believe that a collaborative approach is necessary to make AI training accessible to workers and local communities.
To help ensure AI’s benefits are widely shared, Google.org is launching a $75 million dollar AI Opportunity Fund, which will help over one million Americans learn essential AI skills by providing funding to best-in-class workforce development and education organizations across critical segments of society:
- Rural and Underserved Workers
- Public Sector Workers
- Students and Educators
- Small Businesses
- Nonprofits
