Helping Build Canada’s AI Workforce with a $13 Million AI Opportunity Fund
Canada stands at an exciting inflection point. Artificial intelligence (AI) is rapidly reshaping our world, offering opportunities to transform how we work and empower people across virtually every field, whether you're a doctor seeking faster diagnoses, a small business owner trying to reach new customers or a farmer optimizing crop yields.
A recent Economic Impact Report about Google Canada from Public First underscores the immense potential before us: generative AI has the potential to boost Canada's economy by $230 billion and could save the average Canadian worker over 175 hours a year, freeing them up to concentrate on more fulfilling parts of their job. But realizing this potential hinges on our collective ability to equip people with the skills needed to meet this pivotal moment. The good news is Canadians are up for the challenge, with 63% of workers interested in developing AI skills, with interest rising to 72% among younger Canadians.
With the demand for AI skills rising, Google is helping to bridge the gap by introducing a $13 million AI Opportunity Fund from Google.org. Together with local organizations, this commitment will help prepare today’s workforce for tomorrow’s AI-powered future with training and skills development initiatives across the country.
Bringing AI skills to more than 2 million Canadians
Google is deeply committed to ensuring that the transformative benefits of AI are accessible to everyone. The AI Opportunity Fund’s $13 million commitment will go to four exceptional organizations across the country to support and scale their workforce development programs, reaching more than two million people in Canada. Here’s how these initiatives will help foster and develop AI skills:
- Alberta Machine Intelligence Institute will provide post-secondary students across Canada with foundational AI skills to better adapt to emerging technologies and address the growing AI skills gap in Canada’s workforce.
- First Nations Technology Council will train Indigenous students and provide AI resources to Indigenous community members, with the goal of increasing the number of Indigenous workers in technology.
- Skills for Change will develop AI skills programs to train individuals from communities facing high unemployment. This initiative will equip participants with foundational AI literacy through hands-on, industry-relevant curriculum, creating pathways to meaningful employment.
- Toronto Public Library will address the digital divide by launching a city-wide AI upskilling initiative to provide community members with access to free tools, AI skills training and programming to support employment, boost productivity and encourage safe, informed use of AI.
This announcement builds on our existing digital and AI skilling initiatives in Canada such as Google Career Certificates and Grow with Google programs.
Our ongoing commitment to Canada's AI future
Canada is uniquely positioned to thrive in an AI-powered future. We have a rich history of groundbreaking AI research, a dynamic startup ecosystem, and a growing community of technology companies that are driving AI innovation forward at an impressive pace. Now, Canada has the opportunity to benefit from a technology that it helped pioneer, putting AI to work to make a positive difference in our lives, at our jobs, and in building stronger, more resilient communities across the country.
Of course, innovation has always been a team sport, and AI is no different. No single employer or policymaker will be able to modernize workforce programs on their own. We're committed to playing our part — working together with governments, nonprofits, civil society, academics and businesses to ensure AI benefits all Canadians. Let’s usher in the next chapter of the country’s AI story together.
