Investing in global talent and AI literacy

Google and the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) are launching a global initiative to provide 100,000 AI certificate scholarships across more than 80 countries. The program, delivered through local governments and the Giga network, targets students, educators, and workers seeking job-ready digital skills. Training will be tailored to local workforce priorities, ensuring relevance and accessibility for diverse communities worldwide.

The scholarships are part of the AI Skills Coalition, an ITU-led initiative that unites governments, industry, academia, and civil society to expand AI education. Participants will have access to over 200 courses in the Coalition’s catalogue, supporting the ITU-UNICEF Giga initiative to connect schools and communities to online resources. Local leaders and national ministries will oversee the implementation, ensuring the training aligns with regional economic and educational needs.

Research from Ipsos and Google indicates that hands-on AI training increases learner confidence by up to four times. The program aims to bridge the gap between connectivity and capability, addressing the 1.2 billion people lacking basic digital skills and the 311 million needing advanced training. By focusing on practical, expert-led courses, the initiative seeks to make AI tools accessible and useful for daily applications in education, public services, and employment.

Google will track scholarship activation, learner participation, and certificate completion, with a focus on priority groups such as youth, educators, public servants, and job seekers. The initiative also aims to generate evidence on effective AI training methods, enabling continuous improvement and scaling of successful approaches globally. The goal is to provide clear, high-quality pathways for individuals to begin using AI confidently in their careers or communities.