Tech giant Google has pledged to invest 25 million EUR to help people in Europe learn to use artificial intelligence (AI). Announcing the funding on Monday, the company said it was opening applications to social enterprises and NGOs that could help reach those who would most benefit from the training.
The company will also hold a series of “growth academies” to support the expansion of AI companies, and is expanding its free online AI courses to 18 languages.
“Research shows that the benefits of AI can exacerbate existing inequalities – particularly in terms of economic security and employment”, said Adrian Brown, executive director of the Centre For Public Impact (CPI), which runs the NGO program alongside Google. “This new program will help people across Europe develop their knowledge, skills and confidence around AI, ensuring that no one is left behind”, added he.
Last month, Google announced it would invest 1 billion USD to build a data center near London as it tries to meet growing demand for internet services in the region.
The data center, located on an area of 130,000 square meters, bought by Google in 2020, will be located in the town of Waltham Cross, about 24 km north of London, the company said.
