Google Debates Charging for A.I. Capabilities while Launching Free Training Initiative with $75M Fund

During an interview with “The Claman Countdown,” Evercore ISI’s head of internet research Mark Mahaney discussed Google potentially charging for certain AI capabilities. Meanwhile, in a separate development, Alphabet-owned Google unveiled its latest educational initiative on Friday that teaches individuals the essential skills to utilize artificial intelligence tools such as Gemini and ChatGPT without requiring any prior experience or academic qualifications. The 10-hour course is available online for $49 through Coursera with a certificate of completion, but it will also be offered free by nonprofits, companies, schools, and community colleges including Miami Dade College which offers Google’s digital skills courses to their enrolled students pursuing AI degrees. To make the training more accessible, Google has set up an $75 million fund called ‘AI Opportunity Fund,’ that will provide grants for workforce development organizations providing free education on how to use AI technology to people from underserved and rural areas, small businesses, educators, nonprofit leaders as well as students. According to James Manyika of Google, this initiative is aimed at ensuring everyone can access the benefits offered by artificial intelligence irrespective of their location or financial backgrounds. He added that collaborative efforts across various sectors are essential for making AI training available to all individuals who wish to learn and benefit from these technologies’ opportunities.