Asian Americans Advancing Justice – AAJC Receives Grant from Google.Org’s AI Opportunity Fund
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Washington, D.C. — Today, Asian Americans Advancing Justice — AAJC (Advancing Justice – AAJC) announced it is a recipient of Google.org’s $75M AI Opportunity Fund. The goal of the AI Opportunity Fund is to help over one million Americans learn essential AI skills by providing grants to best-in-class workforce development and education organizations.
According to the World Economic Forum, despite the rising demand for skills including AI, only half of workers have access to adequate training opportunities today. The digital divide is especially stark for Asian American, Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander (AANHPI) communities. A 2024 report by Advancing Justice – AAJC, revealed that 46% of AANHPI communities reported a lack of computer/technical skills. As things such as workplaces, government resources, civic engagement, and education become increasingly reliant on digital skills, it is crucial for AANHPI communities to have access to technology and the skills to use it effectively. In-language and culturally responsive education is essential to closing the digital divide for AANHPI communities, equipping community members with a comprehensive and critical understanding of technology and AI’s impact on our daily lives, opening a wide array of economic opportunities, and equipping them with the necessary skills to navigate the ethical considerations involved.
Advancing Justice – AAJC’s portion of the funding will help provide local Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander (AANHPI) partner advocacy organizations around the United States with resources to develop AI and digital literacy and job readiness training that meets the unique needs of their communities.
"Technology, including AI and the Internet, is becoming a crucial part of every aspect of our lives, from connecting with loved ones, accessing resources, and excelling in our jobs. As such, increasing digital equity and inclusion across underserved AANHPI communities is imperative,” said Lia Nitake, Senior Director of Technology, Telecommunications, and Media Policy at Asian Americans Advancing Justice – AAJC. “Google.org’s generous grant will help us achieve our goal of bridging the digital divide by empowering AANHPI communities to better identify and tackle mis- and disinformation, keep themselves safe in a digital world, and find financial opportunity and independence.”
“Google.org’s $75M AI Opportunity Fund is an investment in American ingenuity,” said Justin Steele, Senior Director, Google.org. “We believe in empowering people, particularly those in underserved groups or geographies, with the knowledge to harness this powerful technology to boost productivity and create more access to economic opportunity, By working across sectors to equip over one million Americans with essential AI skills, we're not just building a more prosperous future, we're building a more equitable one.”
Through the grant, Advancing Justice - AAJC will also provide access to the new Google AI Essentials course. The online course is product agnostic, does not require a degree or experience, and will teach workers foundational AI skills, AI best practices, and how to use AI responsibly. In under 10 hours, people will get practical, hands-on experience using AI to help with work tasks through videos, readings, and interactive exercises. The skills learned can be applied to a variety of roles across industries. After completing the course, people will earn a certificate from Google to share with their network. Along with Google, employers will use the course to upskill employees in AI skills.
This builds on Google.org’s support to Advancing Justice – AAJC since 2020 to support Asian American communities with more pathways to opportunity.
To learn more about our digital equity and AI literacy work, please visit Asian Americans Advancing Justice – AAJC.