Google.org is investing $15 million to train U.S. government employees in artificial intelligence skills. This funding, part of the company's larger $75 million AI Opportunity Fund, aims to prepare the public sector for the AI revolution.
The grants will be split between two major initiatives: $10 million for the Partnership for Public Service and $5 million for InnovateUS. These efforts are aimed at preparing government employees at all levels—from interns to senior executives—to use AI effectively in their roles, helping transform everything from infrastructure management to healthcare access.
The Partnership for Public Service, a nonpartisan nonprofit, will receive $10 million to launch the Center for Federal AI, a dedicated hub set to open in Spring 2025. The Center will focus on cultivating AI leadership within the federal government, offering targeted training programs that aim to build AI skills at all levels—from career starters to top decision-makers. The center will also feature a federal AI leadership program and an internship initiative to foster a robust community of AI practitioners within the federal government.
Max Stier, President and CEO of the Partnership for Public Service, described AI as "today’s electricity”—a transformative technology crucial to both society and effective governance. "Google.org's generous investment will help us expand our programming and empower agencies to capitalize on AI, ultimately improving public services," Stier said.
The Partnership has been training federal leaders in AI skills since 2019, already reaching over 550 senior officials across more than 50 federal agencies. The new funding will allow it to scale up and extend these efforts to the broader federal workforce.
InnovateUS, a consortium working with federal, state, and local government partners, will use its $5 million grant to expand its reach significantly. Having already trained over 40,000 public sector workers, InnovateUS will aim to provide AI courses and coaching to more than 100,000 government workers across 30 states. Their curriculum includes Google Career Certificates alongside InnovateUS's custom AI training, designed specifically for government employees.
Beth Simone Noveck, Founder of InnovateUS and Chief AI Strategist for the State of New Jersey, emphasized the importance of giving public sector employees access to cutting-edge AI tools. "For government to work better and be more accessible, workers need the opportunity to leverage the latest technologies," she noted. By training public sector professionals, InnovateUS hopes to improve the effectiveness of government services while building public trust.
Government agencies are already using AI to improve services, from enhancing cancer detection for military personnel to identifying disaster relief areas. This new funding aims to accelerate responsible AI adoption across all levels of government.
As AI continues to reshape the public sector, initiatives like these will be crucial in ensuring government workers can effectively harness this technology to better serve the American people.