Google has announced a significant new project, the AI Opportunity Initiative, aimed at advancing artificial intelligence (AI) skills, funding research, and improving access to AI products across the Middle East & North Africa (MENA). Google.org, the company’s philanthropic arm, is set to invest $15 million by the end of 2027 to fund organizations in the region, supporting the integration of AI into various sectors to ensure inclusive growth.
Recent studies underscore the urgency to boost AI and digital literacy to keep the workforce competitive in an increasingly AI-driven economy. Economist Impact predicts that AI could potentially boost MENA’s economic growth by an impressive $320 billion by 2030.
Building on its commitment to the region, Google has already trained three million people in core digital skills since 2018. The AI Opportunity Initiative aims to further this impact by empowering an additional half a million individuals with essential AI competencies within the next two years. The initiative will cover areas such as AI skills development, research, and infrastructure.
Key elements of the initiative include:
- AI Skills Development: Google will launch new educational programs and an Arabic AI curriculum under its ‘Maharat min Google’ program and Coursera. This initiative aims to equip individuals with skills like prompt engineering.
- Support for Underserved Communities: Google.org will provide grants to Village Capital to support Business Support Organizations (BSOs) in upskilling underserved groups such as women, youth, and migrants across multiple MENA countries.
- Advancing AI Education: The Raspberry Pi Foundation will collaborate with Google DeepMind to offer the ‘Experience AI’ program in Arabic, focusing on AI literacy for young people, with special programs in the UAE and Saudi Arabia run in partnership with Amideast.
- AI Research and Solutions: Google will continue to invest in local startups and universities to develop AI solutions targeting healthcare, climate change, and education.
- AI in Healthcare: StartAD, an accelerator based at NYU Abu Dhabi, will receive funding to develop AI applications that improve healthcare access in underprivileged areas of the UAE and Saudi Arabia.
- AI Features in Arabic: Google is expanding its AI-powered assistant Gemini with new features tailored to Arabic speakers, enhancing accessibility and user experience.
In addition to these educational and research initiatives, Google reaffirmed its commitment to enhancing regional infrastructure to meet the growing demand for cloud services. It announced a partnership with Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund (PIF) to expand its Dammam Google Cloud region with an AI hub.
Speaking at the Google AI Connect Event, Ruth Porat, President and Chief Investment Officer for Alphabet and Google, highlighted the transformative potential of AI in the region, stating that Google’s initiatives are designed to ensure that everyone can benefit from the opportunities AI presents.
The AI Connect event, held at the Etihad Museum, drew notable attendees including Omar Sultan Al Olama, Minister of State for Artificial Intelligence, Digital Economy & Remote Work Applications. The event showcased Google’s ongoing efforts to foster innovation and economic growth through technological empowerment in MENA.
