Google.org Unveils $15M AI Training Grants for Government Workers

AI's already making waves in the public sector, from better cancer detection for service members to smarter water conservation and pinpointing disaster relief zones. That's why we're thrilled to announce at the Google Public Sector Summit in Washington, D.C., a hefty $15 million in new Google.org funding. This cash is going to two top-notch public sector groups, the Partnership for Public Service and InnovateUS, to boost AI skills across the U.S. government workforce.

The Partnership for Public Service: leading the charge in federal AI training

We're kicking things off with a $10 million grant to the nonpartisan nonprofit, the Partnership for Public Service. They're setting up the Center for Federal AI, launching in Spring 2025, to nurture AI leadership and talent within the federal government. Whether you're an intern or an executive, this place is where you'll learn to use AI responsibly in your agency. They're rolling out a federal AI leadership program, an internship program, and initiatives to build a lively learning community for federal AI leaders.

The Partnership for Public Service has been a big deal in pushing AI adoption in the federal government. Since 2019, with help from Google.org and others, they've trained 550 top career government leaders from over 50 agencies across 35 states, who manage hundreds of thousands of federal employees, in AI skills.

"AI is like the electricity of our time — it's a game-changer for the public sector and society," says Max Stier, president and CEO of the Partnership for Public Service. "Thanks to Google.org's generous support, we can expand our programs and research, and launch new initiatives to help agencies make the most of AI and serve the public better. We're grateful for Google.org's dedication to effective government and excited to launch the Center for Federal AI this spring."

InnovateUS: addressing skills gaps across state and local governments

Next up, we're giving $5 million to InnovateUS, backed by a team of federal, state, and local government partners. They've been leading the charge in offering free AI training to public sector workers through self-paced courses, live workshops, and training programs. So far, they've trained over 40,000 learners and have more than 100 agency partners.

With Google.org's backing, InnovateUS is set to reach even more folks, offering AI courses, workshops, and coaching to over 100,000 public sector workers across more than 30 states. They'll have custom AI training for government workers, plus access to the Google Career Certificates program, which includes AI training. New Jersey, a founding member of InnovateUS, has already seen the benefits, with thousands of state employees using AI to improve how they deliver services.

"For government to work better and be more accessible, our workers need to use the latest tools and tech," said Beth Simone Noveck, Founder of InnovateUS and Chief AI Strategist for the State of New Jersey. "By investing in upskilling programs through InnovateUS, we can solve problems more effectively and rebuild trust in our government."

The future of AI in government

This funding is part of Google.org's $75 million AI Opportunity Fund, aimed at helping Americans learn crucial AI skills. With the efforts of groups like the Partnership for Public Service and InnovateUS, AI's set to play a big role in improving government services and tackling societal challenges. By investing in AI training, we're making sure the public sector can fully tap into AI's potential to meet critical needs like healthcare, infrastructure, and public safety, which benefits us all.