Latest news with #AIOpportunityFund
Malaysian Reserve
30-07-2025
- Business
- Malaysian Reserve
Goodwill® and Google Offer Free AI Essentials Training in North America
Goodwill aims to help more than 200,000 people learn AI skills for today's jobs ROCKVILLE, Md., July 30, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — Goodwill Industries International (GII) and Google are launching an initiative to train 200,000 people in foundational AI skills in the U.S. and Canada. Through AI Opportunity Fund, Goodwill is providing Google's AI Essentials course at no cost in the U.S. and Canada to help workers learn AI skills. Since 2017, Goodwill has offered Google's digital skills programs resulting in over 400,000 Americans being placed into well-paying jobs. AI continues to transform our workforce, reshaping recruitment processes and redefining the skills employers seek. Through this free online training, Goodwill is helping to equip job seekers with the tools needed to succeed and stay competitive in a workforce increasingly influenced by AI. The program is open to everyone in the local community, including Goodwill employees and those who use Goodwill nonprofit career support services. With over 80% of Americans living within 10 miles of a Goodwill, the organization will offer Google's AI Essentials course to local communities at scale. 'At Goodwill, we believe that providing the right skills to people opens doors to opportunity. AI is transforming the workplace, and thanks to support from we're ensuring that individuals can gain the essential knowledge needed to thrive in this digital era,' said Steve Preston, president and CEO of Goodwill Industries International. 'Google is proud to continue our long-standing collaboration with Goodwill, helping more people access local training for well-paying jobs. Goodwill's offering of Google's AI Essentials course will empower even more individuals to advance their economic mobility and prepare for the jobs of today and tomorrow,' said Hector Mujica, Head of Americas Philanthropy, Google's AI Essentials course teaches people to use generative AI effectively in day-to-day work. In under 10 hours, the course provides practical, hands-on experience using generative AI to help with work tasks through videos, readings, and interactive exercises. The skills learned can be applied to a variety of roles across industries. After completing the course, participants will earn a certificate from Google to share with their network. Globally, 86% of graduates say the AI skills taught in this course will improve their productivity and/or efficiency in their jobs, and over 80% say these skills will improve their overall job performance. This initiative furthers the efforts of Goodwill to ensure access to tech education. The Google AI Essentials course will be added to the portfolio of the Goodwill Digital Career Accelerator® (GDCA), a collaboration with to provide skills training and promote digital literacy. This transformative course is available at no cost to anyone interested in learning AI fundamentals. Complete the 2025 Google AI Essentials Training Request Form to sign up today. ABOUT GOODWILL INDUSTRIES INTERNATIONAL Goodwill works to enhance the quality of life of individuals and families by strengthening communities, building bridges to opportunity and helping people in need reach their potential through learning and the Power of Work®. For more than 120 years, Goodwill organizations across North America have helped people find jobs, support their families and feel the satisfaction that comes from working. There are more than 150 local Goodwill organizations that assist people through a variety of employment placement services, job training programs and other community-based services. Thousands of people receive employment and other human services through Goodwill, and, in 2024, the organization helped more than 2.1 million people build skills, access resources and advance their careers. Goodwill sells donated items in more than 3,300 outlets and retail stores in the U.S. and Canada, as well as through online marketplaces. The revenue creates training programs and job placements to help people find work or advance their careers. For more information or to find a Goodwill location near you, visit Follow us on X/Twitter: @GoodwillIntl and Facebook, Instagram, TikTok and YouTube: @GoodwillIntl. About Google's philanthropy, applies Google's innovation, research, and resources to promote progress and expand opportunity for everyone.
Toronto Star
16-06-2025
- Business
- Toronto Star
Tech Update: How Canada can help manufacturers steel themselves against Trump's doubled tariffs
President Trump's decision to double tariffs on aluminum and steel imports to the United States has set off alarm bells in many sectors. In 2023, 56 per cent of the total aluminum imported to the U.S. — or 3.08 million tons — came from Canada; as 50 per cent duties jack up costs, American importers will likely look for other options. Indeed, after similar levies were imposed in 2018, Canadian steel imports decreased by 37.8 per cent. This trade upheaval will also have consequences for labour. Unifor, the union which represents many workers in the aluminum and steel industries, has already called on the Canadian government to enact strong countermeasures. Jayson Myers, the CEO of Next Generation Manufacturing Canada (NGen), says the impetus to support these sectors extends far beyond the immediate tariff-related tumult. 'This has been an issue for more than 20 years — ever since the Canada-U.S. free trade agreement came into place,' he explains. ARTICLE CONTINUES BELOW According to Myers, we've not been especially proactive or productive when it comes to protecting Canadian companies, steel producers and the Canadian market. Tariffs are the latest example, but he also points to the deluge of 'unfairly subsidized product' that has made its way into the country from around the world — materials that are being sold well under market price, with the effect of undermining and undercutting Canadian producers. Procurement can be a valuable tool to mitigate the effects of this import/export roller-coaster, Myers says. 'For some time, the U.S. has had a Buy American provision, so federal infrastructure projects use U.S. steel and aluminum, and we have not done that,' he says. Going forward, with many Canadian infrastructure projects gearing up that involve steel and aluminum, there could be opportunities to benefit those sectors through mandates to buy metal from domestic producers. Quantum company's big chip innovation Toronto-based Xanadu has had a banner year so far — the company kicked off 2025 with the news that it had managed to develop a modular quantum computer, and followed that up by announcing several key collaborations. The latest development is a major accomplishment in a minuscule package: Xanadu has created a chip with error-resistant qubits. As quantum systems are very sensitive and especially prone to glitches, this innovation is a significant step toward Xanadu's goal of creating a scalable model that is powerful and commercially viable. New fund to support AI training Google Canada has announced it will be allocating $13 million to bolster AI skills development across the country. The AI Opportunity Fund will be shared by four Canadian organizations providing AI skills development and training. The four organizations receiving the funds are the Alberta Machine Intelligence Institute, the First Nations Technology Council, Skills for Change and the Toronto Public Library. These workforce development programs could help empower more than two million Canadians to succeed in an AI-powered economy. Women rule at west coast Web Summit Vancouver's inaugural Web Summit took place during the last week of May, culminating in a pitch competition where select early-stage startups presented to investors and partners onstage. Out of the 35 ventures who participated, three winners were chosen — all of them led by women. AI-powered smart stroller company GlüxKind and VodaSafe, which is developing sonar tools for aquatic rescues, were named runners-up, while Lite-1, which creates sustainable textile dyes, won the top prize. Province shares plans to bring power to the people According to recent analysis by the Independent Electricity System Operator (IESO), the demand for electrical power in Ontario is anticipated to surge by 75 per cent over the next 25 years. In response, the provincial government proposed legislation last week that it says will enable the energy sector to meet the needs of a growing population, economic expansion and more electrical intensification. The Protect Ontario By Securing Affordable Energy for Generations Act aims to drive economic growth for energy agencies, bolster cybersecurity measures and further develop infrastructure for nuclear and hydrogen systems. ARTICLE CONTINUES BELOW ARTICLE CONTINUES BELOW New initiatives for Indigenous communities The Business Development Bank of Canada (BDC) has teamed up with the First Nations Bank of Canada to support Indigenous entrepreneurs. The collaboration, which the two institutions say is grounded in 'the spirit of economic reconciliation,' will provide $100 million in financing to catalyze more acquisitions of established businesses by Indigenous communities. A separate initiative, led by Montreal-based research institute Mila, is driving economic reconciliation by equipping Indigenous participants with the skills to be leaders in tech. The second cohort of the Indigenous Pathfinders in AI program just launched; the 21 members will spend six weeks learning about AI and conceptualizing projects to explore applications of the technology in their communities. By the numbers •140,000 square feet: The size of the Centre for Excellence, a flagship facility that Cyclic Materials plans to build in Kingston, Ont. The site will house R&D, processing equipment and other critical infrastructure to support the rare earth elements recycling company's circular supply chain. $4 million (U.S.): The size of Constellation Technology Ventures' strategic investment in EV-charging innovators SWTCH Energy. The funding will enable SWTCH to further develop its Cortex technology, a hybrid solution that merges cloud-based services and IRL infrastructure. $3.3 trillion: The amount invested in clean technology globally, according to estimates from the International Energy Agency. $89 million: How much the Canada Growth Fund is investing in Calgary geothermal startup Eavor. Rebecca Gao writes about technology for MaRS. Torstar, the parent company of the Toronto Star, has partnered with MaRS to highlight innovation in Canadian companies.
Cision Canada
04-06-2025
- Business
- Cision Canada
Google Canada announces $13 Million AI Opportunity Fund to strengthen Canada's AI workforce Français
funding will support four local organizations, offering AI skills training to more than two million Canadians TORONTO, June 4, 2025 /CNW/ - Google Canada announced an AI Opportunity Fund, which will provide $13 million to four Canadian organizations providing AI skills development and training across the country. The AI Opportunity Fund is providing support to the Alberta Machine Intelligence Institute, the First Nations Technology Council, Skills for Change, and the Toronto Public Library, to scale their best-in-class workforce development programs. Together, these organizations will reach more than two million Canadians with AI training, helping ensure they are equipped to succeed in an AI-powered economy. "AI is transforming the way we work and can empower people across almost every field," said Sabrina Geremia, VP & Country Managing Director for Google Canada. "Canada is uniquely positioned to capture the immense AI opportunity, by putting this technology to work. The AI Opportunity Fund will help upskill Canadians nationwide, strengthen our workforce, and prepare Canadians for an AI-powered economy." The AI Opportunity Fund will support the following initiatives: 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. Canada is well positioned to succeed in an AI-powered future, with a rich history of groundbreaking AI research and a dynamic startup ecosystem. According to Public First's Economic Impact Report on Google Canada, generative AI could boost Canada's economy by $230 billion, and could save the average Canadian worker over 175 hours a year. This will bring immense opportunities – but it's not guaranteed. The first step is building Canadians' AI skills, knowledge and confidence. Canadians are up to the challenge – the same report found 63 per cent of Canadian workers are interested in acquiring AI skills, with interest rising to 72 per cent among young Canadians. This funding builds on Google's existing digital and AI skilling initiatives in Canada such as Google Career Certificates and other Grow with Google programs. Quotes: "In today's digital economy, it's encouraging to see global leaders like supporting Ontario's workforce. Their support for the AI Opportunity Fund will equip workers with the skills needed to seize the jobs of tomorrow—and ensures Ontario remains competitive in a fast-changing world." - The Honorouble David Piccini, Ontario Minister of Labour, Immigration, Training and Skills Development "Canada has an incredible opportunity to translate decades of AI research excellence into fundamental AI literacy skills for a generation of post-secondary students because of the generous support of Amii is proud to lead the effort to build a national AI Workforce Readiness Consortium to empower Canadian students with the fundamental literacy skills they need to succeed in an AI-driven economy. From colleges and polytechnics to U15 Canadian research universities and Indigenous PSE institutes, we're ready to support educators with equitable access to curriculum resources across faculties, programs and domains." - Cam Linke, CEO, Alberta Machine Intelligence Institute " commitment to supporting AI training programs for Indigenous Peoples represents a meaningful step toward reconciliation by supporting the adoption and innovation of emerging technologies. This initiative enables collaboration with all 204 First Nations in British Columbia, empowering communities to leverage AI for nation-building while driving economic growth and fostering technology-enabled efficiencies that benefit Indigenous Peoples and Canada as a whole." - Natiea Vinson, CEO, First Nations Technology Council "Our new AI skilling project, made possible through generous support, represents a transformative opportunity to bridge the digital divide and create equitable access to the future of work. We are proud to receive support for this ground-breaking initiative and look forward to shaping a more inclusive and prosperous future together." - Surranna Sandy, CEO, Skills for Change "As AI rapidly transforms our world, it's crucial that members of society understand and have the skills and abilities to shape and leverage these changes. Through generous funding, we will launch an AI Upskilling Initiative, focused on the responsible and ethical use of AI and bring tools, resources and learning opportunities to TPL customers." - Vickery Bowles, City Librarian, Toronto Public Library About Google Canada Google's mission is to organize the world's information and make it universally accessible and useful. Through products and platforms like Search, Maps, Gmail, Android, Google Play, Google Cloud, Chrome and YouTube, Google plays a meaningful role in the daily lives of billions of people and has become one of the most widely-known companies in the world. Google Canada has offices in Waterloo, Toronto, Montreal,Ottawa and remotely across the country with employees working on teams across Engineering, AI Research, Sales and Marketing.
The Sun
12-05-2025
- Business
- The Sun
GDA, Google.org on mission to empower Asean MSMEs to thrive in AI-driven era
PETALING JAYA: The Asia Foundation's Go Digital Asean (GDA) and are expanding their focus to include preparing micro, small and medium enterprises for the rapidly evolving artificial intelligence-driven economy. Backed by a US$27 million (RM116 million) commitment from the initiative focuses on closing the digital gap for underserved communities – particularly women, youth, rural entrepreneurs and owners of small business. Since its inception in 2020, GDA has delivered digital upskilling programmes to more than 200,000 individuals across all 10 Asean member states. In 2025, with the global economy shifting towards automation and artificial intelligence, GDA is evolving its mission to equip Southeast Asia's MSMEs with the knowledge and tools to adapt, innovate and thrive in the AI era. GDA regional programme manager Hannah Najar said AI has the potential to unlock efficiencies, boost productivity, and create market opportunities for MSMEs. 'However, without inclusive access to AI awareness and training, small businesses risk being left behind. That is what we are trying to change,' she told SunBiz. Hannah said the expanded focus is supported by AI Opportunity Fund, which marks a long-term investment into developing AI literacy across the region. 'For us, this means integrating practical knowledge of AI tools and responsible usage into its skilling curriculum, ensuring that MSMEs not only adopt digital technologies, but also understand how emerging tools like generative AI can be applied ethically and effectively to their business operations,' she added. The digital skilling gap remains a challenge across Southeast Asia, especially for small businesses operating in rural or low-connectivity areas, Hannah noted. 'GDA addresses this by leveraging an extensive network of local implementing partners, ranging from civil society groups to government-linked agencies, to contextualise training and extend its reach to hard-to-access communities,' she said. Asia-Pacific lead Marija Ralic said Google recognises that digital transformation is not a one-size-fits-all process. 'Each community has different needs. That is why we work closely with regional partners who understand local barriers and can deliver skills training in culturally and economically relevant ways.' Ralic said the results speak for themselves, as more than 90% of GDA beneficiaries reported a positive business impact from the programme. 'Participants saw improvements in customer engagement, sales growth and overall business performance. In Malaysia, one small enterprise reported a 40% revenue increase after adopting digital strategies learned through GDA training. 'In Indonesia, a rural woman entrepreneur leveraged e-commerce tools to expand her business beyond her local village. And in Thailand, a mushroom farmer-turned-online seller demonstrated how digital tools can open up entirely new income streams,' she added. With MSMEs facing increasing pressure to digitalise and compete in a global market, they both noted that the partnership aims to build a strong foundation, not just for short-term gains, but for sustainable, future-facing transformation. Looking ahead, Hannah noted that the initiative plans to scale its reach by expanding digital literacy programmes into AI-specific training, enhancing cybersecurity awareness, and promoting responsible digital entrepreneurship. 'This vision aligns with Asean's broader digital integration goals and reflects the growing recognition that AI will be a core component of business competitiveness in the coming decade. 'The digital economy is evolving, and we want to ensure that MSMEs evolve with it. This means going beyond access to technology, we are building digital confidence, skills, and awareness that can help small businesses take charge of their futures,' she said.
