Tech giant Google announced today a significant €25 million commitment to upskilling Europe's workforce in the rapidly evolving field of artificial intelligence (AI). This initiative aims to bridge the talent gap and empower individuals across the continent to leverage the transformative potential of AI.
This initiative aligns with the European Commission's vision for a digitally empowered Europe, as outlined in its recent AI strategy. The strategy emphasizes the need for upskilling and reskilling initiatives to prepare the workforce for the changing dynamics of the AI-driven economy.
The €25 million pledge will be distributed through various channels, including runing a series of “growth academies” to support companies using AI to scale their companies and has expanded its free online AI training courses to 18 languages.
"Europe has a vibrant tech landscape, and we believe investing in its people is crucial to unlocking its full potential," said Adrian Brown, executive director of the Centre for Public Impact, which is running the nonprofit scheme alongside Google. "This new program will help people across Europe develop their knowledge, skills and confidence around AI, ensuring that no one is left behind."
With its €25 million pledge, Google aims to play a leading role in shaping a future where everyone in Europe has the opportunity to benefit from and contribute to the transformative power of artificial intelligence.
Last month, Google announced it would invest $1 billion into building a data centre just outside of London, as it moves to meet growing demand for internet services in the region.
The data centre, located on a 33-acre (13-hectare) site bought by Google in 2020, will be located in the town of Waltham Cross, about 15 miles (24.14 km) north of central London, the Alphabet-owned, opens new tab company said in a statement.