Google Launches 'Skills' Platform: A Comprehensive AI Learning Hub with 3,000+ Courses

Want to upskill in AI for free? Google has 3,000 new courses for you - and certificates to go with them

You also get 35 free credits each month to sign up for hands-on labs. With generative AI all the buzz, many organizations need people with the right expertise in artificial intelligence. That's true whether you already work for such a company or are looking for a new job that requires AI skills. Now, Google is hosting a new online platform that offers thousands of AI classes. Unveiled on Tuesday, the new Google Skills site is home to more than 3,000 different AI courses and hands-on labs. The virtual classroom integrates training from Google Cloud, Google DeepMind, Grow with Google, and Google for Education, all in one spot. As the courses run the gamut from basic to advanced, they're geared for anyone from novice students to business professionals to experienced developers. So you should find useful training no matter where you are in your career or education. Also: Is OpenAI's Atlas browser the Chrome killer we've been waiting for? Try it for yourself As Google illustrates, you can map out your own path through the right online courses. You might start with an entry-level class like Google AI Essentials as you prepare to get a certification from Google Cloud. You may be seeking a career in AI research and want to learn about large language models (LLMs) through Google DeepMind's AI Research Foundations. Or maybe you're looking for a quick AI tutorial, in which case the 10-minute AI Boost Bites material may suit you. Many of the classes also offer hands-on experience. AI-driven labs can teach you how to code through Gemini Code Assist. After learning workplace skills in AI, you can acquire badges as well as certificates, and certifications. You can also track your progress and even share your results with other people or on social media. To check out the array of classes, head to the Google Skills website and log in with your Google account. Here, you should sign up for Google's Innovators program, through which you receive 35 free credits each month to enroll in the hands-on labs. You're then placed at your own personal Dashboard from where you're able to manage your training and achievements. You'll probably want to start by examining the course catalog. Here, you can sort the classes by level, format, or the type of badge you receive. You're also able to search the catalog for courses by name. The catalog displays each class with a brief description and the amount of time it takes to complete. Selecting a specific course shows you more information and provides a Start button to kick off the training. Beyond viewing individual courses, you can review different paths with a series of courses and labs that specialize in a particular area. For example, one path called "Build and Modernize Applications With Generative AI" features 12 activities on such topics as Gemini for developers, generative AI apps on Google Cloud, and configuring Gemini Code Assist. Since this is Google, the training naturally focuses on Google AI products and services. That means you're not going to find any courses on learning ChatGPT or Microsoft Copilot. But even Google-centric courses should give you a good framework for AI in general. Although many courses are available for free, the hands-on labs tend to be credit-driven. For these, you'll have to use some of the 35 free credits given each month. If you run out, you can sign up for a Pro subscription that costs $29 per month and provides free access to thousands of courses and labs. "Google Skills is your go-to platform for building essential AI and technical capabilities amid an ever-growing skills gap," Google said in its Tuesday blog post. "It offers extensive no-cost options for learners at every level, like our Generative AI Leader learning path. Plus, with hundreds of courses for those new to AI, no prior experience is necessary."

Google Skills packs 3,000 tech courses into a gamified learning platform

Serving tech enthusiasts for over 25 years. TechSpot means tech analysis and advice you can trust. In context: As companies rush to integrate AI into their workflows, employees face an urgent need to upgrade their skills. Google aims to address this shortfall by offering an extensive collection of free online courses that users can complete remotely at their own pace. Alphabet recently launched Google Skills, a digital learning platform aimed at building "essential" skills for the digital age. With much of Big Tech focused on monetizing generative AI services, the platform includes an extensive collection of AI-focused courses - but users can also choose from a wide variety of other topics. Mountain View has offered self-directed educational content for more than two decades, which allows Google Skills to integrate material from existing platforms such as Cloud, DeepMind, Grow, Education, and others. The service features roughly 3,000 courses, labs, and credentials, accommodating users with varying skill levels and educational backgrounds. In 2024 alone, students and professionals completed more than 26 million courses and certifications using Google's learning content, the company said. Google Skills now centralizes this material, offering users the opportunity to build practical, in-demand skills valued by employers in the technology sector. Google Skills leans heavily on gamification, which studies show effectively boosts engagement. According to the company, 95 percent of learners enjoy gamified courses. Skills tracks progress and achievements, making it easy for users to share updates on social media. Personally, I fall in the five percent who dislike gamification, having abandoned Duolingo when its compulsory game-like features interfered with my attempts to learn French. Google promotes Skills as a platform for learning generative AI and other artificial intelligence applications - skills that employers are increasingly demanding in tech positions. The platform also offers non-AI courses covering topics such as cybersecurity, Python programming, network infrastructure, and more. Mountain View said its on-demand library of courses and labs is available to all Google users for free. However, advanced hands-on labs and all career certifications require a paid subscription. Additionally, educational institutions, governments, and NGOs can access free training through Google's Career Launchpad program.

Google Launches Skills Platform with 3,000 AI Courses | AIM

Google Skills emphasises hands-on learning, with labs powered by Gemini Code Assist Google has launched Google Skills, a new online learning platform aimed at equipping learners with essential AI and technical skills. The initiative integrates content from Google Cloud, Google DeepMind, Grow with Google, and Google for Education, offering nearly 3,000 courses, labs, and credentials in one central hub. "AI expertise is in higher demand than ever, driving the next wave of innovation and productivity," said Karen Dahut, CEO of Google Public Sector. "Google Skills is designed to help anyone from students to enterprise leaders learn and prove their capabilities in AI and other emerging technologies." The platform offers flexible learning paths. Beginners can start with entry-level courses like Google AI Essentials, while developers and AI researchers can explore advanced content such as AI Research Foundations from DeepMind. Short, focused modules, including AI Boost Bites, allow learners to gain knowledge in as little as ten minutes. Leaders can also benefit from courses like Future-Proof Your AI Learning Strategy, featuring insights from executives at Telus and Deutsche Bank. Google Skills emphasises hands-on learning, with labs powered by Gemini Code Assist and credentialing options including skill badges, entry-level certificates, and full certifications. The platform also incorporates gamified features like progress streaks and achievement sharing to boost engagement. The platform aims to bridge the skills gap and support workforce development. Google has partnered with over 150 employers in a skills-based hiring initiative, enabling graduates of Google Career Certificates to access direct pathways to jobs. Companies such as Jack Henry are already leveraging this program to recruit qualified talent efficiently. Google Skills is available at no cost for learners worldwide, including students, developers, higher education institutions, government programs and nonprofits. Google Cloud customers receive full access to the on-demand library, while developers can claim 35 free monthly credits for hands-on labs.

Google Skills combines courses from Cloud, DeepMind and more

Learners can earn badges, entry-level certificates, and professional credentials through structured courses. Google has launched Google Skills, a new educational platform designed to provide training in artificial intelligence and other technical fields. The platform centralizes nearly 3,000 resources from various Google divisions into a single hub to help users build and validate expertise. The content is aggregated from Google Cloud, Google DeepMind, Grow with Google, and Google for Education. This consolidation provides learners access to a wide spectrum of tech-focused courses, hands-on labs, and credentials. The platform's curriculum is designed to meet the high demand for AI skills and support innovation across industries by offering practical experience alongside theoretical knowledge. Google Skills targets a broad audience, including students, experienced developers seeking certification, and organizational leaders aiming to apply AI in business operations. It provides a framework for users to learn, build, and prove their abilities through a system of verifiable credentials. These include skill badges for specific competencies, entry-level certificates for foundational knowledge, and professional certifications to demonstrate advanced proficiency. This initiative helps prepare the workforce for jobs requiring AI expertise by supporting learners at all levels, from beginners to seasoned professionals. The platform's launch is presented as part of Google's long-term commitment to expanding digital capacity globally through accessible education for both essential and advanced digital skills.