As part of its ongoing commitment to help build a Digital Philippines towards an AI-ready economy, Google announced the availability of Google AI Essentials course on Coursera to equip Filipinos with AI skills.
AI presents a transformative opportunity for the Philippines to address economic challenges by boosting productivity and unlocking human potential. A study by Access Partnership forecasts that Philippine businesses could reap PHP2.8 trillion (USD50.7 billion) in economic benefits in 2030 through the adoption of AI-powered products and solutions.
Realizing this potential requires a multi-faceted approach which includes promoting innovative yet responsible AI adoption across industries, fostering a supportive regulatory environment, investing in AI infrastructure, and upskilling the workforce.
Google AI Essentials is a self-paced online course taught by AI experts at Google. This course requires no previous experience with AI, and is designed to help people across roles and industries get essential AI skills to boost productivity. In less than 10 hours, learners will gain hands-on experience with a variety of AI tools to brainstorm ideas and speed up daily work tasks, including:
- Develop ideas and content: Use AI to help brainstorm and generate ideas and then turn that idea into a presentation outline to sell it through.
- Make more informed decisions: Use AI to help research locations and organize information so you can pick the best spot based on a set criteria.
- Speed up daily work tasks: Use AI to help draft email responses so you can quickly clear out that inbox.
- Write effective prompts: Create clear and specific prompts and learn prompting techniques to get the output you want.
- Use AI responsibly to mitigate unfair biases and inaccuracies.
Upon successful completion, participants will receive a Google-issued skill badge to showcase their newly acquired AI proficiency to potential employers and colleagues.
Collaborating with local partners to effectively distribute Google AI Essentials scholarships
To extend Google AI Essentials scholarship opportunities to Filipinos nationwide, Google has partnered with key stakeholders, including the Department of Information and Communications Technology and the Department of Trade and Industry. These partners will receive scholarship allocations to distribute among Filipino youth, jobseekers, MSMEs, entrepreneurs, civil servants, and others. This collaborative approach ensures that the scholarships reach those who can benefit most from developing essential AI skills.
“Google’s AI Essentials launch is a key step forward in digital inclusion and innovation. By broadening access to AI education, this initiative is set to transform our economy and equip a skilled workforce ready to capitalize on digital opportunities. We commend Google for their leadership in this effort and look forward to the significant impact it will have on our nation’s economic growth and workforce development.” said Alfredo Pascual, secretary of the Department of Trade and Industry.
“Google is deeply committed to the Philippines and its digital transformation towards an AI-ready future. We believe that AI has the power to unlock immense economic potential and drive innovation across industries. Through initiatives like Google AI Essentials, we aim to empower Filipinos with the skills and knowledge needed to thrive in the AI age. We’re excited to continue our partnership with the government, businesses, and communities to build a more inclusive and progressive digital future for the Philippines,” said Jackie Wang, country director of Google Philippines and Thailand.
Google, in addition to its skilling programs, has also made substantial investments in digital infrastructure. The company confirmed earlier this year that the TPU (Taiwan-Philippines-United States) subsea cable system, announced in May 2023 in collaboration with regional carriers Chunghwa Telecom, Innove (a subsidiary of Globe Group), and AT&T, is expected to be completed by the end of 2025. Subsea cables are crucial in addressing the increasing demand for digital, AI, and cloud-based services from both individuals and businesses. Additionally, they contribute to positive economic impacts for countries by boosting trade, investment, and productivity.