Google is taking proactive steps to influence the rapidly evolving landscape of artificial intelligence (AI). As governments worldwide draft regulations to address the promises and perils of AI, Google aims to shape the narrative and guide policy, all while navigating intense scrutiny over its existing business practices, according to Reuters.
This dual strategy—educating the public and policymakers while adapting to looming regulations—is central to Google’s game plan. Kent Walker, Alphabet’s President of Global Affairs, sums it up: “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.”
Google is not alone in the AI race. Rivals like Microsoft-backed OpenAI and Meta are making bold advances, spurring fierce competition. Meanwhile, regulatory bodies are paying close attention, wary of the potential downsides of AI, such as privacy concerns, copyright issues, and job displacement.
In Europe, Google has offered to sell parts of its ad tech business to appease regulators, signaling its willingness to make concessions. Across the Atlantic, the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) has taken a hard line, attempting to dismantle Google’s Chrome web browser operations and curb its dominance in search. The regulatory heat is only expected to intensify as the EU AI Act, a pioneering legislation assessing AI risks, nears implementation. If enacted, it could saddle tech giants with billions in fines for noncompliance.
To tackle these challenges, Google is investing heavily in AI education and workforce training. In September, CEO Sundar Pichai announced a $120 million fund dedicated to building AI educational programs. This includes expanding the Grow with Google initiative, which blends online and in-person training to teach skills like IT support and data analysis.
The program has already helped over a million participants earn certifications, a milestone Lisa Gevelber, head of Grow with Google, called a stepping stone toward preparing workers for AI-driven futures. Specialized courses now cater to educators and other professionals, aiming to integrate AI knowledge into a wide array of fields.
But courses alone won’t cut it, Walker warns. “What really matters is if you have some sort of objective that people are working towards, like a credential that people can use to apply for a job.” To that end, Google is experimenting with public-private partnerships, such as the Skilled Trades and Readiness program. This initiative trains workers—especially those building Google’s data centers—with AI-integrated modules, offering a glimpse of how AI can enhance vocational training.
The specter of job displacement looms large as AI reshapes industries. Walker, however, maintains that only a small fraction of jobs will be entirely replaced, pointing to studies by Google, Goldman Sachs, and McKinsey. These reports suggest AI will augment most jobs, transforming roles rather than eliminating them outright.
David Autor, an economist and Google visiting fellow, is exploring how AI can support workforce transitions. In an interview, Autor highlighted the potential of AI to revolutionize training through immersive technologies. “AI could enable simulations akin to flight simulators, which are far more engaging and practical than traditional classroom settings,” he explained. Yet, he also acknowledged the uphill battle: “The history of adult retraining is not particularly glorious. Adults don’t want to go back to class.”
Google’s leadership, including Walker and Chief Investment Officer Ruth Porat, is traveling worldwide to meet with policymakers. Their goal is to advocate for policies that balance innovation with safeguards, while showcasing Google’s role as a responsible corporate player. “Ultimately, the federal government will look and see which proofs of concept are playing out—which of the green shoots are taking root,” Walker said.
The stakes are high for Google, not just in its race against competitors but in its bid to ensure AI evolves in a way that benefits society while minimizing harm. The company’s efforts to lead on education, policy, and research underscore its ambition to remain at the forefront of the AI revolution.