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Google Launches AI Professional Certificate on Coursera With Free Access for U.S. Small Businesses

The short program targets a documented workplace AI skills gap by pairing free AI Pro for enrollees with no-cost access for U.S. small businesses.

Overview

  • New Google and Ipsos research underscores the need, with 70% of managers prioritizing AI-trained workforces while only 14% of workers have been offered training and 40% use AI at work.
  • Every enrollee receives three months of no-cost Google AI Pro to practice with Google's most capable models.
  • U.S. small businesses can apply for no-cost access to the certificate along with three months of Google Workspace Business Standard.
  • The curriculum features seven short courses and a hands-on capstone using tools like Gemini, NotebookLM, and AI Studio, designed for completion in about 10 hours with a portfolio and custom AI app as outputs.
  • Employers including Walmart and Sam’s Club, Deloitte, Verizon, and Colgate-Palmolive plan to train employees with the program, with the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, America’s SBDCs, ADP, PayPal, and Verizon helping distribute it.