Google Canada has announced a $13 million investment aimed at upskilling Canadians in artificial intelligence (AI) through the launch of a new initiative called the AI Opportunity Fund.

The move is part of the tech giant’s ongoing efforts to expand digital competencies across the country, with the fund supporting a range of organisations offering AI-related training programmes. According to Google, this nationwide effort is intended to strengthen Canada’s workforce and prepare people for jobs in an AI-driven economy.

“AI is transforming the way we work and can empower people across almost every field,” said Sabrina Geremia, VP and Country Managing Director for Google Canada. “Canada is uniquely positioned to capture the immense AI opportunity by putting this technology to work. The AI Opportunity Fund will help upskill Canadians nationwide, strengthen our workforce, and prepare Canadians for an AI-powered economy.”

Ontario’s Minister of Labour, David Piccini, welcomed the announcement. “In today’s digital economy, it’s encouraging to see global leaders like Google.org supporting Ontario’s workforce. Their support for the AI Opportunity Fund will equip workers with the skills needed to seize the jobs of tomorrow—and ensures Ontario remains competitive in a fast-changing world.”

The fund will support a number of targeted initiatives:

• Alberta Machine Intelligence Institute (Amii) will provide post-secondary students across Canada with essential AI training, helping to narrow the growing skills gap in the country’s workforce.
  
  
• First Nations Technology Council is set to offer AI-focused education and resources to Indigenous students and communities, with the aim of increasing Indigenous representation in the tech sector.
  
  
• Skills for Change will design training programmes tailored to individuals from communities with high unemployment rates. These courses will focus on practical, job-ready AI skills.
  
  
• Toronto Public Library is developing a city-wide initiative to expand digital literacy and AI awareness, giving local residents access to free workshops, tools, and support that improve employment opportunities and encourage safe use of AI.

“Canada has an incredible opportunity to translate decades of AI research excellence into fundamental AI literacy skills for a generation of post-secondary students because of the generous support of Google.org,” said Cam Linke, CEO of Amii. “Amii is proud to lead the effort to build a national AI Workforce Readiness Consortium to empower Canadian students with the foundational literacy skills they need to succeed in an AI-driven economy. From colleges and polytechnics to U15 Canadian research universities and Indigenous PSE institutes, we’re ready to support educators with equitable access to curriculum resources across faculties, programmes and domains.”

Google points to Canada’s deep roots in AI research and its vibrant startup ecosystem as reasons for optimism. According to a report by Public First, generative AI could contribute up to $230 billion to the Canadian economy and save the average worker more than 175 hours per year.

Still, while public interest in learning AI skills is growing, a skills gap remains. “The first step is building Canadians’ AI skills, knowledge and confidence,” Google said.

The same report found that 63 per cent of Canadian workers are keen to gain AI expertise, rising to 72 per cent among younger demographics. However, previous studies suggest employers need to step up efforts to ensure that staff are adequately trained in this rapidly evolving field.