At Google, we believe that access to technology expands opportunity for people. Realizing this promise requires more than just access to tools. Skills are also required to use them effectively. We’ve already trained millions of Americans in the digital skills that help them succeed on the job, in the classroom, and grow their businesses. As AI becomes a key driver of economic growth, we are committed to making sure everyone can benefit. Our foundational course, Google AI Essentials, has become the most popular course on Coursera, helping people around the world get started with this technology.
Today, we’re taking the next step in helping professionals build fluency from the basics with the launch of the Google AI Professional Certification. We developed this program to address an important need. A new study from Ipsos and Google reveals that while 70% of managers believe that employees with AI training are essential to success, only 14% of employees have been provided with AI training. To close the AI skills gap, employers such as Walmart, Sam’s Club, Deloitte, Verizon, and Colgate-Palmolive will use this certificate to train their employees in AI.
This gap is especially difficult for small businesses, which employ half of Americans and are the heart of our communities. To help ensure you take advantage of this opportunity, Google is offering all small businesses free access to the new AI Professional certification and three months of Google Workspace Business Standard. We work with the U.S. Chamber of Commerce and the U.S. Small Business Development Center (SBDC) to reach small businesses across the country. We’re excited to have ADP, PayPal, and Verizon share these resources with millions of small businesses across their networks. Businesses can apply at grow.google/small-business.
Created by experts at Google and used by some of America’s largest employers, this new program focuses on the specific skills that employers value most. We worked with Burning Glass Institute and the Skills-First Workforce Initiative to identify the most important areas for using AI, including communications, research, data analysis, content generation, planning and organizing, and vibecoding. And because the best way to learn AI is to practice using the tools, all participants will receive three months of free access to Google AI Pro. This allows users to practice with our most capable models while mastering over 20 practical use cases, including:
- Produce professional images, videos, presentations, and marketing materials
- Conducting deep research to uncover important insights
- building infographics
- Turn your goals into a comprehensive project plan and schedule
- Drafting communications for multiple audiences
- Clean, analyze, and visualize data to make smarter decisions
- Vibe lets you code custom apps without writing a single line of code
This new certification is the latest addition to the Google Career Certification Program, which now includes AI training in all certifications. The program has already accepted more than 1 million graduates worldwide, with more than 70% reporting positive career outcomes within six months. By providing practical, job-focused training, we want to help unlock the economic potential of AI for everyone. To learn more and register, visit grow.google/aiCert.
