California signs no-cost AI training deals with Google, Adobe, IBM and Microsoft

What the agreements cover

The governor's office says the state has signed agreements with four of the largest technology companies in the generative AI sector. The aim is to train California's workforce for a wide range of AI jobs, including students in grades 9-12, community colleges and California State Universities (CSU), for what the state calls high-paying careers.

The agreements were reached at no cost to the state, according to the announcement. They are also meant to let schools and industry partners work together so students can more easily move from the classroom into work. High schools will be able to modernize their curriculum offerings with the latest AI tools, while the community college and CSU systems will see support for faculty and students, along with networking and internship opportunities.

The companies have developed programs they are sharing with educational institutions, including AI software, expertise for educators updating their curricula, and support for educational and joint research initiatives. The solutions are voluntary and will be offered by the companies at no cost to schools and institutions.

What Adobe and Google are offering

Adobe will expand access to its generative AI tools designed for classroom use, naming Adobe Express, Adobe Acrobat and Adobe Firefly. It will also provide AI literacy content, programming and resources. Mala Sharma, Vice President and General Manager of Adobe for Education, said the company wants to empower both students and educators with AI skills.

Google will give California residents access to its online AI training programs and keep working with state agencies on citizen services, data-driven decisions and efficiency using generative AI. The company will increase free access to its Prompting Essentials course for students. According to the announcement, the online course is product agnostic, requires no degree or experience, and teaches learners how to instruct AI effectively and use it responsibly. Teachers across the state will also get Google's no-cost Generative AI for Educators course, meant to help them personalize instruction, develop lessons and save time on administrative tasks.

The source text provided for this article cuts off at the start of the IBM section, so details of the IBM and Microsoft initiatives are not covered here.

Why California is pushing this now

The state points to its position in the industry: California is home to 33 of the top 50 privately held AI companies globally, according to the announcement. Officials say the agreements should help keep the state the location of choice for innovative companies, with an emphasis on supporting startups.

Several officials commented. Stewart Knox, Secretary of Labor and Workforce Development, said fluency in AI tools will give students a big advantage as they start their careers. Sonya Christian, Chancellor of California Community Colleges, described the system as the largest workforce training provider in the nation and spoke of guiding the responsible and equitable use of generative AI. CSU Chancellor Mildred Garcia said the memorandum of understanding and the CSU-Industry AI Workforce Acceleration Board it memorializes are central to the CSU's Artificial Intelligence Initiative.

Newsom said the state will keep working with schools and colleges on the safe and ethical use of emerging technologies, while emphasizing critical thinking and analytical skills.

What it means for students and schools

For schools, the main change is access: tools and courses from four major vendors will be available without charge, and participation is voluntary. For students and teachers, that could mean AI software and training in the classroom, plus links to employers through internships and networking. The announcement does not give timelines or detail how individual institutions will take part, so the practical rollout remains to be seen.