Google.org have donated $500,000 to employability and life skills charity Working Options in Education as graduates of the first group of students from Google’s London AI campus in King’s Cross.
The cohort comprised 27 students from secondary schools across the London Borough of Camden. They completed AI Connect, a two-year enrichment program delivered through a partnership involving Google, Camden Learning and Camden Council.
Each week, students attended classes to learn about artificial intelligence, machine learning, and robotics, as well as applications of AI in sustainability, education, and health. The program also incorporated professional and critical thinking skills.
Eileen Mannion, Google’s vice president of marketing, shared the funding for Google.org in a LinkedIn post commemorating the graduation.
This funding builds on Working Options’ involvement on campus. The charity supported AI Connect alongside GSK and No Black Boxes, and chairman Nigel Morris was involved from the early design stages of the program.
Graduates reflect on AI confidence, skills and human impact
For the students, the ceremony marked more than just the end of two years of weekly lessons. Louise Siffredi and Amira Keel talked about developing confidence and skills with peers who have come to feel like family.
These connections continue even after graduation. Camden Learning has established an alumni network to support 27 students as they progress to university or apprenticeships.
Melanie V. Eusebe, Director of AI in Society at Google DeepMind, used her talk to bring students’ technology learning back to those affected by it. “For everything you write, for every problem you solve, remember the human face that will feel your every decision,” she told graduates.
London AI Campus director Laura Flynn-Cawley and founder Amy Brown hosted the ceremony at Camden’s Town Hall space. The program is part of a long-term partnership between Google, Camden Council’s STEAM program and Camden Learning, a school-led organization involving all schools in Camden.
To make this happen, we also need support from industry and community partners. Lowick Hedley provided administrative services to the campus advisory committee, said Kevin McKeever, the company’s CEO.
The next confirmed development is the opening of The AI Exchange on Google Platform 37 later this year. Mannion said the initiative will provide further hands-on AI opportunities for local communities.
