Gavin Newsom, Governor of California | Official website
California Governor Gavin Newsom has announced new agreements with four major technology companies—Google, Adobe, IBM, and Microsoft—to expand access to artificial intelligence (AI) education and workforce training across the state. The initiative aims to prepare over two million students in public high schools, community colleges, and California State Universities for jobs in AI-related fields.
The partnerships will allow educational institutions to update their curricula with AI tools and resources provided by the tech firms at no cost to the state. The collaboration is intended to support both students and faculty, helping them gain skills needed for an evolving job market shaped by AI.
“AI is the future — and we must stay ahead of the game by ensuring our students and workforce are prepared to lead the way. We are preparing tomorrow’s innovators, today. Fair access to next-generation workforce training tools is one important strategy that California is using to build economic opportunities for all Californians. We will continue to work with schools and colleges to ensure safe and ethical use of emerging technologies across the state, while emphasizing critical thinking and analytical skills,” said Governor Gavin Newsom.
The agreement covers a range of initiatives:
- Adobe will provide its generative AI software—including Adobe Express, Acrobat, and Firefly—as well as training materials for students and teachers.
- Google will offer its Prompting Essentials course free of charge to students, along with a Generative AI course for educators.
- IBM plans to integrate AI into career education programs at community colleges through its SkillsBuild platform, focusing on hands-on learning aligned with workforce needs.
- Microsoft has delivered bootcamps on AI foundations and cybersecurity for faculty members at community colleges in partnership with state agencies.
“AI is expected to touch nearly every aspect of the working world, so making sure California students are fluent in AI tools will give them a huge advantage as they start their careers,” said Stewart Knox, Secretary of Labor & Workforce Development.
“Leveraging the state’s leadership in technology to train the current and future generation of California workers positions us to remain the world’s leader in emerging technologies,” added Nick Maduros, Secretary of California Government Operations Agency.
“With agreements like these, we are doing what California does best – investing in the innovation economy to create new industries and new opportunities,” said Dee Dee Myers, Senior Advisor to the Governor and Director of GO-Biz. “Partnering with these industry leaders will further unlock opportunities for Californians to get the skills they need to advance their careers while ensuring employers have access to the most talented workforce in the nation.”
“This new partnership with leading AI companies brings cutting-edge skills and tools directly to our students, faculty, staff, and communities—expanding opportunity and ensuring that Californians are prepared to thrive in the future world of work shaped by AI,” said Sonya Christian, Chancellor of California Community Colleges. “As the largest workforce training provider in the nation, we play a pivotal role in developing California’s talent and guiding the responsible and equitable use of Generative AI.”
“On behalf of the California State University, I commend and deeply appreciate Governor Newsom’s forward-thinking efforts to harness the power of artificial intelligence. The MOU we celebrate today and the CSU-Industry AI Workforce Acceleration Board it memorializes are at the very heart of the CSU’s Artificial Intelligence Initiative, aimed at empowering faculty teaching and research, elevating the student experience, driving the state’s future workforce and, most importantly, equipping our graduates with the essential skills they’ll need to thrive in every field. We look forward to our continued collaborative work – with the governor’s administration, AI industry leaders, and CSU students, faculty and staff – as the CSU seeks to become a global model for an AI-empowered higher education system.” – Mildred Garcia, Chancellor of California State University
Adobe Vice President Mala Sharma stated: “To create the future, today’s students must learn to speak the language of tomorrow. That means not only having access to Adobe’s world-class, classroom-ready AI-powered tools as they are creating, ideating or studying but also becoming fluent in AI itself. This is equally important for educators because when we invest in teachers we invest in every student they will ever reach. By empowering both students and educators with AI skills and knowledge Adobe is proud to take a critical step toward building an innovative workforce that thrives in digital world of today and tomorrow.”
Matthew Schneider from Google Public Sector said: “Generative AI is reshaping future work revolutionizing industries creating entirely new career paths. By collaborating with California make this technology more accessible K-12 classrooms higher education institutions innovative start-ups we’re empowering Californians skills knowledge thrive robust GenAI economy tomorrow.”
IBM Software Senior Vice President Dinesh Nirmal commented: “IBM is proud collaborate State California expand access AI education economic opportunity. As transforms workplace demand skilled workers growing rapidly Through IBM SkillsBuild collaboration community colleges empowering students educators tools training credentials need thrive an economy.”
Beth Dann from Microsoft added: “Microsoft proud partner State help ensure students faculty staff across Community Colleges system have access needed today’s workforce supporting literacy cybersecurity training hands-on learning opportunities Copilot technology trusted partners investing future grateful Governor Newsom office Government Operations Agency leadership creating pathways digital workforce.”
California has already launched projects using generative AI within government agencies such as reducing highway congestion improving roadway safety enhancing customer service call centers.
In 2023 Governor Newsom signed an executive order outlining how generative artificial intelligence should be adopted within state government aiming for ethical transparent trustworthy deployment. Earlier this year academic experts released The California Report on Frontier AI Policy providing guidance on responsible safe use artificial intelligence statewide.
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