Google has announced a significant investment in its U.S. data center infrastructure and a new initiative to promote AI skills training. The tech giant plans to invest $1 billion to expand its three existing data center campuses in Virginia, bringing its total investment in the state to over $4 billion. Additionally, Google will invest $2 billion in a new data center campus in Fort Wayne, Indiana.
Alongside the infrastructure investments, Google.org, the company's philanthropic arm, is launching a $75 million AI Opportunity Fund. The fund aims to train one million Americans from all backgrounds with essential AI skills at no cost. Google.org will collaborate with nonprofit organizations, educational institutions, and other sectors to provide accessible AI training programs.
As part of this initiative, Google is also launching the Google AI Essentials course, developed by Grow with Google and AI experts from various teams within the company. The course is designed to teach foundational AI skills that participants can apply in their daily lives and work, without requiring a degree or prior experience.
Two of the first recipients of the Google AI Opportunity Fund are the Institute for Veterans and Military Families (IVMF) and Goodwill. IVMF will use the grant to reach more than 1,800 veterans and military families with the AI Essentials Course and enroll over 2,000 in the Google Cybersecurity Certificate program. Goodwill, which has helped 400,000 Americans complete Google's digital skills programs since 2017, will provide the AI Essentials Course to local communities at no cost, focusing on underserved populations.
Google is also partnering with employers like Citigroup and educational institutions such as Miami Dade College to expand access to AI skilling programs. The company believes that a collaborative approach is necessary to make AI training accessible to workers and local communities.