Google unveils Innovation and Education AI hub in Paris

Google has unveiled a new hub in Paris dedicated to artificial intelligence. The hub, which spans an impressive 6,000 square meters, will serve as a central point for research, development, and education in the field of AI. It will house a team of 300 researchers and engineers.

The announcement comes at a time when a study by Ipsos in collaboration with Google has revealed that 85% of French people anticipate a major transformation in the job market within the next five years due to the rapid development of AI. To address this anticipated shift, Google has set an ambitious goal of training 100,000 professionals in AI tools by the end of 2025. It is anticipated that the newly inaugurated AI hub in Paris will play a pivotal role in achieving this objective.

The AI hub which is expected to become a valuable resource for economic actors, especially small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), will also offer tailored training programs designed to accelerate the integration of AI within these enterprises, enabling them to harness the economic opportunities that AI presents.

To address concerns about potential disparities in access to AI education, Google.org, the philanthropic arm of Google, has announced a commitment of €25 million in Europe. This fund aims to bridge the gap and ensure that individuals who may be distant from the world of AI can access training and educational resources.

The first initiative under this philanthropic effort is the AI Opportunity Fund: Europe, a €10 million fund that will be open to France. This fund is designed to support charities and organizations by providing funding and tailored training in basic AI tools. The goal is to empower beneficiaries to incorporate AI into their professional lives, preventing a new digital divide and ensuring that the benefits of AI are inclusive and accessible to all.

By:  Nana Appiah Acquaye