Google has introduced two new courses designed to help Canadians and small businesses harness the power of artificial intelligence (AI). The initiative, launched under the company's Grow with Google programme, aims to equip individuals and entrepreneurs with practical AI skills to improve efficiency and productivity.
The new offerings — Prompting Essentials and AI for SMBs — respond to a rising demand for AI training in Canada. According to Google's Economic Impact Report, 63% of workers are interested in learning AI skills, a figure that increases to 72% for younger Canadians. Meanwhile, only 27% of small and medium-sized businesses (SMBs) are currently using AI, with 42% saying they require support to integrate AI into their operations.
New AI courses to address skills gap
The Prompting Essentials course is designed to help Canadians improve their AI prompting skills to complete everyday tasks more efficiently. Based on methods developed by Google's AI experts, the course outlines five actionable strategies to make AI work effectively in various professional and personal contexts.
This new course expands on foundational concepts covered in Google AI Essentials, which has become Coursera's most popular generative AI course globally.
To ensure accessibility, Google has partnered with several non-profit organisations to provide scholarships for the Prompting Essentials course. These partners include ComIT, Halifax Partnership, Digital Nova Scotia, Digital Main Street, BC Tech, and the Canadian Council for Indigenous Businesses (CCIB).
AI for SMBs: Supporting small businesses
Google's second new course, AI for SMBs, is tailored to small business owners and entrepreneurs. The programme covers AI fundamentals and explains how Google's AI-powered tools can help businesses streamline operations, improve customer experiences, and boost growth.
"Small businesses are the backbone of the Canadian economy, driving innovation, creating jobs, and strengthening communities," said Sabrina Geremia, VP and Country Manager at Google Canada.
She added: "AI is a powerful technology that can help simplify business tasks and create new opportunities for small businesses and entrepreneurs — but knowing how to use it may seem out of reach. These new resources aim to bridge that gap."
Bridging the AI skills divide
Google's latest initiative builds on its ongoing efforts to improve digital literacy through Grow with Google and Google Career Certificates. Since the launch of these programmes, more than 35,500 Canadians have completed the Google Career Certificate, with 75% of graduates reporting a positive career outcome — such as a new job, promotion, or pay increase — within six months of completing their course.
"With more Canadians leveraging AI every day, closing the AI skills gap is an investment in Canada's workforce, ensuring we're prepared to adapt and thrive in an AI-driven world," Geremia said.
Google's new courses are part of its commitment to supporting Canadian businesses, ensuring they are well-equipped to integrate AI technologies into their operations.