Launching the AI Opportunity Initiative for Europe
GoogleFeb 12
Google Pledges €25M to Boost Europe's AI Skills
The Facts
On Monday, Google announced that it was committing €25M (nearly $27M) to help Europeans enhance their artificial intelligence (AI) skills and ensure that "no one is left behind."
Google's president for Europe, Middle East, and Africa, Matt Brittin, called innovation "a team sport" and said that the firm will work with EU Governments, civil society, academics, and businesses "to land this technology safely and for everyone."
The Spin
Narrative A
Google has always sought to take the various regions that it operates in, especially Europe, along in its innovative journey into the technological future. Its 2015 Growth With Google program looked to plug Europe's skills gap, training over 12M people. Many beneficiaries have since built strong careers and businesses. The AI Opportunity Initiative now looks to build on that experience.
Narrative B
It's important to note that there's been no European Amazon, Alphabet, or Meta yet. European risk-averseness aside, a lack of financing has been a hurdle. However, AI could flatten the field for Europe's entrepreneurs. Despite the challenges, it looks like Google wants to be around when that happens — and a transatlantic Silicon Valley is not out of the cards.
Nerd narrative
There's a 50% chance that the EU will pass the AI Act by May 2024, according to the Metaculus prediction community.