Google announced plans to launch a 25 million euro ($26.9 million) support fund to help with skills training for Europeans in the field of artificial intelligence (AI).

The AI Opportunity Initiative Plan for Europe aims to help provide such training, so that people can "take AI opportunities" at a time when the continent is ready to "lead the way" in leveraging AI for economic reasons.

"We want to play a role in empowering the European workforce, supporting people through change so that everyone can benefit."
The developers of the technology said as part of the initiative, they are working with EU governments, civil society, academia, and businesses to provide "advanced" AI training to local startups, with a particular focus on vulnerable communities.

A total of 10 million euros will be used to train workers with the necessary skills to avoid being "left behind". A similar initiative was also initiated by the Italian government in mid-2023, where they allocated millions of euros in funding for digital skills development for workers at risk of being fired due to automation and AI.

Google said the AI program follows a successful initiative launched in 2015 called "Grow with Google" that offers free training to address the digital skills gap in the EU. They say the program has trained more than 12 million people.

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The latest initiative also includes a partnership with the Public Impact Centre, where they seek applications from EU-based social and non-profit organisations to reach more people for AI training.

Adrian Brown, executive director of the Center for Public Impact, said that AI has great potential to "change the world" but can also widen the inequality gap.

"This new program will help people across Europe expand their knowledge, skills, and confidence in AI, ensuring that no one is left behind."
Google has also expanded the languages available for their basic AI courses to 18 languages and said they added additional resources to their Google Career Certificate program to allow professionals to gain practical experience in applying AI in work situations.

This comes as local regulators are preparing to complete the EU AI Act, which aims to regulate the use and development of AI technology within the jurisdiction of EU law.