Key Points
- Google is offering 100,000 scholarships to help people learn AI skills through the AI Skills Coalition.
- The training is designed for beginners and covers practical, job-relevant AI knowledge.
- The program aims to reach learners in over 80 countries, focusing on underserved communities.
Every day, millions of people type into Google Search asking how to get started with AI. This curiosity is not limited to tech enthusiasts. Research from Ipsos and Google reveals that hands-on training makes people up to four times more likely to feel confident using AI tools. Whether you are a teacher, a government worker, or someone looking for a job, practical experience with AI can turn an intimidating technology into a daily helper. For users of ChromeOS and Chromebooks, this shift toward AI literacy opens new doors to productivity and learning.
The topic took center stage at this year’s United Nations General Assembly in New York. The International Telecommunication Union estimates that 1.2 billion people around the world still need training in basic digital skills, and another 311 million need help going beyond the basics. Connectivity alone is not enough. Without the skills to participate in an AI-driven economy, a new divide could form between those who thrive and those who are left behind.
To address this challenge, Google announced it will provide 100,000 scholarships through the AI Skills Coalition. This initiative operates under ITU’s AI for Good program and brings together governments, businesses, schools, and nonprofit groups to expand access to AI education. The scholarships support over 200 courses available to participants in more than 80 countries. Google has positioned this effort as a core part of its broader mission to make technology useful for everyone, including the millions of Chromebook users who rely on affordable devices for work and school.
What makes this program stand out is its flexibility and focus on real-world use. Local leaders and national ministries can shape the training to match their specific workforce needs. The curriculum covers three main areas. First, it teaches practical, everyday skills that require no prior tech background. Second, learners earn recognized certificates from experts that can help them stand out to employers. Third, the programs are locally led, supporting students, teachers, job seekers, entrepreneurs, small business owners, and public servants. For anyone using the Chrome browser to search for career tips or educational resources, these credentials could be genuine game-changers.
No single organization can close the global skills gap alone. This effort depends on cooperation between governments, international institutions, and technology providers. Through the AI Skills Coalition, Google will monitor scholarship usage, learner completion rates, certificates earned, and participation among priority groups such as youth, educators, and job seekers. The organization will also work with participating countries to track how learners apply their new skills in education, employment, and public service.
The goal is simple. When people ask how to begin their AI journey, the answer should be clear and accessible to all. With programs like this one, the path forward is becoming easier to see. If you want to explore what AI can do for your career or classroom, a good first step is visiting grow.google/ai to see what courses and resources are available to you.
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