Google’s new AI Opportunity Initiative for Europe has recently announced a sizeable investment of €25 million. This substantial funding is primarily aimed at the development and expansion of artificial intelligence (AI) skills and training across Europe. This initiative is particularly directed towards underserved and vulnerable communities, marking a significant step towards broadening the accessibility of technology across the entire continent.
The allocation of this investment will be available across the region. Initially, a sum of €10 million has been specifically set aside to enhance workers’ AI skills. This decisive move is not only designed to bridge the technology gap that exists but also seeks to equip individuals with the necessary skills required to excel in the rapidly evolving digital economy.
The funding is a crucial part of Google’s new AI Opportunity Initiative for Europe. It includes a heightened support for startups and an extension of free online training sessions on basic AI into an increased number of languages. The underlying aim is to dismantle linguistic and cultural barriers that often serve as obstacles to equitable access to educational resources. Matt Brittin, Google’s president for EMEA (Europe, Middle East and Africa), emphasized the importance of making AI built by and accessible to everyone to ensure the technology brings far-reaching benefits. “Supporting people and countries to seize the opportunity presented by this technology is one of our primary objectives,” Brittin expressed in a blog post. He also outlined how Europe can be a pioneer in using AI to construct a robust and fair economy.
