Google invests $13 million for AI skills development, training across Canada

Google Canada is investing $13 million to help upskill Canadians in the field of artificial intelligence (AI).

The multinational tech company has announced the AI Opportunity Fund, aimed at supporting organisations that deliver AI skills development and training across the country.

"AI is transforming the way we work and can empower people across almost every field," says Sabrina Geremia, VP and Country Managing Director for Google Canada. "Canada is uniquely positioned to capture the immense AI opportunity by putting this technology to work. The AI Opportunity Fund will help upskill Canadians nationwide, strengthen our workforce, and prepare Canadians for an AI-powered economy."

This announcement is a welcome development for Canada, says David Piccini, Ontario’s Minister of Labour.

"In today's digital economy, it's encouraging to see global leaders like Google.org supporting Ontario's workforce. Their support for the AI Opportunity Fund will equip workers with the skills needed to seize the jobs of tomorrow—and ensures Ontario remains competitive in a fast-changing world."

While AI is becoming a critical tool in the modern workplace, fear and uncertainty still loom large – and HR is often on the front line dealing with the tension, according to a recent report.

Initiatives supported by AI Opportunity Fund

Google’s AI Opportunity Fund will support the following initiatives:

• Alberta Machine Intelligence Institute (Amii): Will offer post-secondary students across Canada foundational AI skills to help them adapt to emerging technologies and close the growing AI skills gap in the national workforce.
• First Nations Technology Council: Will train Indigenous students and provide AI-related resources to Indigenous communities, with the goal of increasing Indigenous participation in the technology sector.
• Skills for Change: Will develop AI-focused training programmes targeting individuals from communities experiencing high unemployment. The curriculum, grounded in hands-on, industry-relevant content, will aim to create meaningful pathways to employment.
• Toronto Public Library: Will launch a city-wide AI upskilling initiative to bridge the digital divide. This programme will provide community members with free tools, training and programming to enhance employment readiness, productivity, and the safe, informed use of AI.

"Canada has an incredible opportunity to translate decades of AI research excellence into fundamental AI literacy skills for a generation of post-secondary students because of the generous support of Google.org,” says Cam Linke, CEO of the Alberta Machine Intelligence Institute.

"Amii is proud to lead the effort to build a national AI Workforce Readiness Consortium to empower Canadian students with the foundational literacy skills they need to succeed in an AI-driven economy. From colleges and polytechnics to U15 Canadian research universities and Indigenous PSE institutes, we're ready to support educators with equitable access to curriculum resources across faculties, programmes and domains."

Recently, Manitoba announced that it—in partnership with the Manitoba Chambers of Commerce (MCC) and Winnipeg Chamber of Commerce (WCC)—is investing $2 million in an artificial intelligence (AI) training initiative to help SMBs dismantle common barriers to AI adoption.

Google notes that Canada is “well positioned to succeed in an AI-powered future, with a rich history of groundbreaking AI research and a dynamic startup ecosystem.”

According to Public First's Economic Impact Report on Google Canada, generative AI could contribute $230 billion to Canada’s economy and save the average Canadian worker more than 175 hours annually.

While the potential is immense, success is not assured.

"The first step is building Canadians' AI skills, knowledge and confidence," says Google.

And Canadians, the company believes, are ready.

"The same report found 63 per cent of Canadian workers are interested in acquiring AI skills, with interest rising to 72 per cent among young Canadians."

However, companies must do a better job of upskilling workers when it comes to AI, according to a previous report.