Google Cloud launches new generative AI learning courses

Google Cloud is set to introduce seven new generative AI learning paths and courses aimed at upskilling technical professionals to meet the increasing demand for expertise in this domain.

According to Erin Rifkin, Managing Director of Google Cloud Learning, "The majority of organizations don't feel ready for the AI era. In fact, 62% say they don't have the expertise they need to unlock AI's full potential. As the leader of learning for Google Cloud, the only thing that surprises me about that number is how low it is. I meet with customers every day, and 100% of them flag some kind of AI skills gap."

Rifkin pointed out that developers, machine learning engineers, and data experts are crucial talents for organisations looking to bridge this skills gap. She highlighted a 2024 survey estimating that about 70% of AI talent needs to update their skills, noting that many technical professionals find themselves lacking the training required to seamlessly integrate AI into their everyday work.

Rifkin went on to explain the new offerings: "That's why, today, I'm proud to share with you the latest learning offerings on generative AI from Google Cloud Skills Boost. Say hello to four new learning paths designed to equip developers with real-world generative AI skills to build applications, manage and secure machine learning models, generate impactful content, and analyse data like a pro. We're talking in-depth courses that first guide you through building proficiency and then, ultimately, test your skills in a real-life challenge lab."

The new learning paths are designed to provide practical experience with generative AI through real-world use cases. Once completed, participants will receive a skill badge to showcase their expertise. Rifkin explained that the training can enhance roles like improving customer experience or team productivity and open up new career opportunities.

Specifically, the learning paths include courses focused on building and modernising applications with generative AI, integrating generative AI into data workflows, deploying and managing generative AI models, and generating smarter generative AI outputs.

Participants can join the Google Cloud Innovators community to gain full, no-cost access to generative AI learning paths. Membership provides 35 unrestricted learning credits each month, sufficient to complete one learning path monthly, as well as access to exclusive learning opportunities.

Additionally, there are new courses on security in AI, boosting productivity with Gemini in BigQuery, and building generative AI agents with Vertex AI and Flutter.

Rifkin emphasised Google Cloud's commitment to practical AI training: "Google has been at the forefront of AI innovation for over a decade. These learning paths are your direct line to that expertise, crafted by the very people who shaped the field. My team is committed to empowering you with the skills to lead in this exciting era. Because ultimately, we all have a shared goal: to build AI-driven solutions that are responsible, fun to use, and — above all — genuinely improve people's lives."