Google is planning to advance its global workforce training initiatives, aiming to incorporate AI skills into its existing education programmes. According to Reuters, the big tech company is expanding its “Grow with Google” initiative, which has already certified over one million participants in areas such as data analysis and IT support. The programme will soon include AI-related courses designed to help workers adapt to the increasing integration of AI into various industries.
“Getting more people and organisations, including governments, familiar with AI and using AI tools, makes for better AI policy and opens up new opportunities – it’s a virtuous cycle,” said Alphabet’s president of global affairs Kent Walker. This initiative is part of Google’s broader approach to advancing its AI capabilities while navigating growing regulatory scrutiny of the tech industry. As competition in AI development increases, Google is focusing on keeping pace with other major players, such as Microsoft-backed OpenAI and Meta, in this rapidly evolving sector.
In addition to its workforce training efforts, Google has recently launched an experimental AI model called Gemini 2.0 Flash Thinking. This model is designed to address complex questions by adopting a “reasoning” approach, aiming to enhance decision-making capabilities in AI. Positioned as a competitor to OpenAI’s GPT-4 Turbo reasoning system, Gemini 2.0 represents Google’s contribution to the AI sector’s focus on developing systems capable of explaining their thought processes.
Efforts to shape AI policy amid regulatory concerns
Google’s push into AI training also aligns with a broader strategy to influence public perceptions and policy decisions related to AI as governments worldwide prepare to regulate the technology. Policymakers have raised concerns about the ethical implications of AI, its potential for misuse, and its impact on privacy and competition. The company’s focus on AI comes as it faces scrutiny not only for its new technological developments but also for its long-standing dominance in search and advertising markets. Google’s efforts to address regulatory concerns include proposals to divest parts of its advertising technology business in the European Union (EU).
In the US, the Department of Justice has filed lawsuits seeking to dismantle parts of Google’s operations, including its Chrome web browser. These efforts signal a growing focus by regulators on curbing Google’s market dominance. In the UK, the Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) has launched several investigations into Google and other tech giants. Earlier this month, the CMA initiated an inquiry into Google’s dominance in search and search advertising, marking the first investigation under the UK’s new digital markets competition framework. This framework, introduced on 1 January 2025, provides regulators with expanded authority to oversee large digital firms deemed to hold strategic market status (SMS).
The CMA is also examining Google and Apple’s control over the UK’s mobile ecosystems, focusing on their operating systems, app stores, and browsers. These investigations aim to determine whether the companies’ practices harm competition, innovation, and consumer choice.
Read more: UK CMA launches probe into Google’s search and advertising dominance
