On Monday, Google.org announced that it is adding $12 million to its AI Opportunity Fund. This extra funding will help more workers, small businesses, and nonprofits in the Asia Pacific (APAC) region use artificial intelligence (AI) to benefit their communities.
The company said in a statement that $10 million of the funding will go to AVPN to help workers in the Asia Pacific get ready for the changing job market. The goal is to train 720,000 workers and 100,000 small and medium businesses (MSMEs) across the region.
MSMEs are a key part of the Asia Pacific economy, making up 96% of all companies and providing jobs for up to 80% of the workforce.
However, research shows that many MSMEs face challenges in developing AI skills because they have limited access to training, lack digital tools, and struggle with financial resources.
The funding also includes a $2 million grant to Infoxchange, which will help train 10,000 nonprofits in the APAC region. They will receive AI training and tools, including new features from Gemini that were recently added to Google for Nonprofits products.
This will help these organisations use AI to create positive change and benefit their communities.
“Moving towards an AI-driven economy must be fair and inclusive, ensuring that all workers have the knowledge and tools they need to take part.”
“Through the Google.org AI Opportunity Fund: Asia-Pacific and our ongoing partnerships, we are committed to ensuring that everyone can benefit from the potential of AI,” said the statement.
The statement says that AI offers a significant opportunity for economic growth and changes in the workforce across the APAC region.
However, it was mentioned that many people lack the skills needed to take full advantage of this opportunity.
A new report from AVPN, a network of social investors, says that 58% of people in APAC are excited about AI’s potential. However, only 15% have received AI training, and most don’t even know that this type of training is available.
“The low number of people with AI training shows why the Google.org AI Opportunity Fund: Asia-Pacific is so important. Our goal is to help everyone in the region access the opportunities that AI offers,” said the statement.
Google.org is also announcing that 49 social impact organizations will receive funding from the first phase of the Fund. These organizations were chosen by AVPN through an open call and are supported by the Asian Development Bank (ADB).
The statement says that APAC’s workforce, which is rapidly growing and consists of 2 billion people, is very diverse in terms of language, culture, and economic background.
The organizations will offer AI training and resources to those who need it most. This includes “solopreneurs” in rural India, migrant workers in Singapore, and people with disabilities and their caregivers in Japan.
The programs will teach practical uses of AI that are designed for each local area, making the training more relevant and effective. This focused approach will help close the gaps in AI skills and make sure no one is left behind.
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