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Google (NASDAQ:GOOGL) is advancing efforts to shape public perception and policy on artificial intelligence (AI) as global regulations loom. Kent Walker, Alphabet’s president of global affairs, emphasized the importance of AI education in fostering better policies and unlocking opportunities. Expanding AI training programs, like "Grow with Google," is central to this strategy. Over 1 million individuals have earned certifications through the platform, which now offers AI-focused courses, including specialized programs for educators.
CEO Sundar Pichai recently unveiled a $120 million fund to support AI education initiatives. Google is also collaborating with community colleges in its “Skilled Trades and Readiness” program, incorporating AI training to prepare workers for data center construction jobs. Walker sees public-private partnerships as key to scaling successful training models, predicting federal interest in programs demonstrating tangible results.
Amidst intensifying competition with rivals like OpenAI and Meta (NASDAQ:META), Google remains under heavy regulatory scrutiny. In the European Union, the company has proposed divesting parts of its ad tech business, while in the U.S., the Department of Justice seeks to dismantle its Chrome browser and scrutinize AI developments. Global governments are also drafting AI regulations addressing copyright, privacy, and risk disclosures, with the EU AI Act posing potential multibillion-dollar penalties.
Walker acknowledges AI’s impact on jobs, referencing studies by Google, Goldman Sachs, and McKinsey, which predict AI integration in most roles rather than outright displacement. Economist David Autor, hired by Google to study workforce impacts, highlighted AI’s potential to revolutionize training through immersive simulations.
As AI transforms industries, Google’s strategic focus on education and collaboration aims to align workforce development with emerging technologies, positioning the company as a leader in navigating this evolving landscape.
