Google Launches Global Initiative To Educate Workers And Lawmakers On AI Risks

Google is prioritizing educational programs on AI aimed at workers and lawmakers worldwide.

According to Reuters, the tech giant intends “to shape public perception and policies on artificial intelligence ahead of a global wave of AI regulation.”

Kent Walker, Alphabet—Google’s parent company—and Google’s president of global affairs, told Reuters more about the company’s vision. “Getting more people and organizations, 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 Walker.

Alphabet’s deputies, including Walker and the president and chief investment officer Ruth Porat, have been traveling across the world to discuss AI policy recommendations with multiple governments.

“There’s a lot of upside in terms of helping people who may be displaced by this. We do want to focus on that,” Walker said.

Google wants to expand its educational programs like Grow with Google and establish public-private partnerships to train workers for future AI-related jobs and prepare for potential job market transformations driven by AI’s impact and role replacements.

The company has been engaging in multiple educational programs in the past few months. In November, they launched a new free AI feature called Learn About with textbook-like information and interactive content in topics like biology, history, and astronomy.

These decisions come as Alphabet faces multiple antitrust regulations. The U.S. government has been pressuring Alphabet to sell its Chrome browser and other products to address monopoly concerns. A similar situation is happening with European countries like Italy which recently launched an antitrust investigation against Google and Alphabet. A few weeks ago, Japan issued a cease-and-desist order against the tech giant for violating the antitrust laws in the country.