In a bold effort to stimulate economic growth and enhance digital skills across the archipelago, Google Philippines has recently introduced its latest initiative, the “Google AI Essentials course.”
This pivotal development was unveiled during a special media briefing held at the Seven Neo Building in BGC, Taguig, which showcased Google’s steadfast commitment to fostering innovation and technological advancement in the region.
Photo shows (from left:) Gabby Roxas, Country Marketing Manager of Google Philipines; Usec. Mary Jean Pacheco, Regional Operations Group and E-commerce Lead of DTI; Enrico Toledo, OIC for Competency, Certification and Courseware of DICT; and Prof. Fraser Thompson, Head of Economics Strategy at ACCESS.
Bridging the Digital Skills Gap in the Philippines
“We first launched the Google Career Certificates Program back in 2022,” shared Gabby Roxas, Country Marketing Manager of Google Philippines, in a speech delivered during the event. “It was a very rigorous course. It takes you several weeks, a few months, to be able to complete the courses. I’m happy to report that since launch, we now have 8,500 Google Career Certificate graduates across multiple types of courses available.”
“This is just a continuation of our commitment towards helping bridge the digital skills gap here in the Philippines. And for those who were able to take on the Google Career Certificates, I’m sure you know there were a lot of topics we were able to bring out such as cybersecurity and data analytics,” he added.
Broadening the Accessibility of AI Courses
As a leader in developing artificial intelligence (AI) tools, Google is expanding the reach of its AI courses through the online platform Coursera, in partnership with the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI).
This initiative is in response to a study by consulting firm Access Partnership, which highlighted that AI could contribute PHP 2.8 trillion (approximately US$50.7 billion) to the Philippine economy by 2030. In light of this, Google has intensified its efforts to make these courses widely available, aiming to upskill the workforce and embrace AI technology.
The program also involves collaboration with the Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) to provide scholarships targeted at Filipino youth, job seekers, micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs), entrepreneurs, civil servants, and other key groups. This ensures that a diverse range of individuals across the country could benefit from the program.
Google AI Essentials Course: Empowering Learners
According to Roxas, the Google AI Essentials course is a self-paced online program taught by AI experts at Google that requires no prior experience with AI. It aims to boost productivity by providing hands-on experience with various AI tools in less than 10 hours.
“Participants will learn to use AI for tasks such as brainstorming ideas, making informed decisions and speeding up daily work tasks, as well as writing effective prompts,” he shares.
The course also covers the responsible use of AI, including how to mitigate biases and inaccuracies. Upon completion, learners will receive a Google-issued skill badge to showcase their AI proficiency. They can also use this badge when applying for a job.
Investment in Digital Infrastructure and Education
In his speech, Roxas also highlighted the transformative potential of AI, saying, “AI truly presents a transformative opportunity for the country to address economic challenges by boosting productivity and unlocking human potential and creativity.”
Beyond educational initiatives, Google has made significant investments in digital infrastructure in the Philippines. This comprehensive approach is expected to play a crucial role in transforming the country’s economic landscape, leveraging AI to unlock human potential and drive substantial economic growth.
The presentation of Dr. Fraser Thompson, Head of Economics Strategy at ACCESS, on the other hand, emphasized the economic impact of AI, predicting that Philippine businesses could generate PHP 2.8 trillion in economic benefits by 2030 through AI-powered products and solutions.
This potential economic boost underscores the growing importance of AI in driving economic activity and productivity.
Broad Accessibility and Scholarships
Roxas further emphasized that the Google AI Essentials course is not limited to Metro Manila, but is now being rolled out nationwide. “Scholarships, provided through partnerships with the DTI and the DICT, as well as with other organizations, are now available across virtual campuses throughout the Philippines.”
“This is to ensure that a diverse range of individuals can benefit from the program, enhancing digital skills across the country,” he added.
This new initiative builds on the success of Google’s earlier programs, such as the Google Career Certificates Program launched in 2022. This program has already seen 8,500 graduates across various courses including cybersecurity and data analytics.
A survey conducted with Coursera revealed that 80% of these graduates experienced positive career outcomes, such as finding new jobs, receiving promotions, and working on important projects, within six months of completing the course.
AI’s Role in the Future Economy
Aside from the launch of the new courses on Coursera, the event also highlighted a survey by The Economist, which showed that Filipinos prioritize learning about AI and machine learning more than their neighbors in the Asia-Pacific region.
This ambition, according to Roxas, aligns with Google’s vision of creating an AI-ready workforce in the Philippines to harness the projected PHP 2.8 trillion economic benefits by 2030. He adds that Google remains committed to bridging the digital skills gap and promoting responsible AI adoption across industries in the Philippines.
“The company is dedicated to creating a supportive regulatory environment and upskilling the workforce to ensure that the country can fully realize the benefits of AI,” he said. The event concluded with a call to action for all leaders and individuals to explore the Google AI Essentials course on Coursera and embrace every opportunity AI now offers.
As Roxas aptly puts it, “Opportunity should be met with ambition,” even as he urged Filipinos to take advantage of these special educational resources to drive future economic growth.
For more information on the Google AI Essentials course, visit Coursera or Google’s official website.