Bringing people together at the AI Economy Forum
We are convening in Washington D.C. today to discuss how AI will affect the economy and jobs. Our inaugural AI for the Economy Forum, co-hosted with MIT FutureTech, aims to highlight that neither the benefits nor risks of AI are automatic or guaranteed. How AI impacts our lives, work, and economy is something we as a society can shape – and realizing its full economic potential requires a new era of partnerships between companies, workers, governments, researchers, and more. At the forum, experts from various fields will share insights, identify knowledge gaps, and lay the groundwork for ongoing collaboration.
Investing in research to understand AI’s impact on the economy
Google is committed to helping shape this transition through two key initiatives. First, we are making new investments in research to ensure that governments, companies, researchers, and civil society have access to the information needed for informed decisions. Second, we are providing training opportunities to equip people with the skills necessary to navigate a changing economy.
Supporting new avenues for training and opportunity
Making sure that people have access to helpful training and skill-building programs is essential to preparing them for an evolving world. Google has extensive experience in scaling such initiatives. To date, we’ve trained 100 million people globally in digital skills – more than 13 million in the U.S. – and designed new programs like our AI Professional Certificate, which helps move people from basic literacy to AI fluency. Our $120 million Global AI Opportunity Fund is making AI education and training available in communities around the world.
Three key Google.org-funded programs:
- We are supporting an effort by the Johnson & Johnson Foundation to train rural healthcare workers on AI literacy, providing them with practical tools that allow them to spend less time on paperwork and more time with patients, leading to better health outcomes.
- With Jobs for the Future, we are mobilizing 100 companies to create new apprenticeships in high-demand and emerging sectors across the U.S.
- We are working with the Manufacturing Institute (MI) to equip 40,000 current and future manufacturing employees with critical AI skills and expand apprenticeship opportunities to 15 new U.S. regions.
This follows our Google AI Educator Series, which provided comprehensive AI literacy training to all 6 million K-12 teachers and higher education faculty in the U.S. These new investments are part of Google’s broader AI Works initiative – efforts that encompass partnerships, training programs, and investments aimed at ensuring everyone can benefit from technological progress.
Building a strong foundation
This work builds on our foundational investments, including $1 billion to support AI education, job training programs, and other education-related initiatives in the U.S., and tens of billions of dollars we’ve invested in U.S. technical infrastructure, research and development, and expanded energy capacity to prepare our economy for AI.
Ensuring a smooth transition
We are committed because we’ve seen the power of digital tools, including AI, as an engine for economic mobility, helping level the playing field for businesses and people everywhere. Our recent U.S. Economic Impact Report includes stories from businesses across all states who are using technology to grow. However, realizing this potential requires smart governance alongside private investment.
We recently endorsed sensible policies that help policymakers understand how AI is impacting the economy while preparing and supporting workers during this transition. The bills will assess AI’s economic impact, equip the workforce with AI skills, and encourage AI adoption that empowers workers. We see the forum as an important step in building the collaboration, partnerships, and understanding needed to navigate the AI transition successfully.
Key Takeaways
- We are convening a forum to discuss how AI will impact the economy and jobs.
- Google is investing in research to understand AI’s economic impact and providing training for workers.
- We have launched several programs, including one by Johnson & Johnson Foundation, Jobs for the Future initiative, and Manufacturing Institute (MI) program, aimed at equipping people with new skills.
- Google is committed to ensuring a smooth transition through smart governance and private investment in AI education and training.
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