Google Launches “Google Skills,” Letting Anyone Start Learning AI and Tech for Free

Google has unveiled a major new education platform called Google Skills, a centralized learning hub designed to make AI and technology education accessible to everyone—whether you are a complete beginner or an experienced professional looking to level up. The platform consolidates nearly three thousand courses, hands-on labs, and structured learning paths from across Google’s vast ecosystem, including Google Cloud, DeepMind, and the Grow with Google initiative.

In a global landscape where artificial intelligence is rapidly transforming industries—from finance and health to transport and creative work—Google’s new offering signals a bold commitment to democratizing AI literacy. For many, the most exciting aspect isn’t the scale of the content but the fact that you can start learning completely for free.

Breaking Down the Google Skills Platform

Google Skills functions as a single, unified platform where learners can explore a wide range of tech subjects. Previously, Google’s educational content was scattered across different websites and platforms, making it harder for learners to know where to begin. Google Skills solves this by bringing everything together under one intuitive interface.

Courses span a diverse portfolio of topics, including:

• Artificial intelligence fundamentals

• Machine learning and deep learning

• Google Cloud computing

• Coding and programming basics

• Cybersecurity essentials

• Data analytics

• Productivity and digital workplace skills

• Generative AI development

This breadth makes the platform accessible to people from all backgrounds—students looking for career direction, professionals seeking to upskill, or even entrepreneurs wanting to understand how AI can power their businesses.

Many of these learning pathways are curated by experts from DeepMind, Google’s world-leading AI research lab. This means learners get insights from teams responsible for breakthroughs like AlphaGo, protein-folding innovations, and the latest generative AI research.

Learn for Free: A Major Step in Accessible Education

Google has structured the platform so that anyone can start learning without paying a cent. This is particularly significant in regions where the cost of technical education remains a barrier. The free offering includes:

• No-cost beginner lessons

• Introductory tutorials

• Foundational AI courses

• Essential digital literacy training

To further support hands-on learning, Google is offering free learning credits to all new users, which can be used to access interactive labs. These labs simulate real-world technical tasks—like deploying cloud environments, training AI models, or configuring systems—giving learners practical experience that traditional courses often lack.

Developers receive additional monthly free credits, enabling them to practice real projects consistently without worrying about subscription costs. While Google does offer a premium subscription for deeper access and unlimited labs, it is entirely optional. Learners can advance meaningfully without upgrading.

This freemium model makes the platform particularly attractive for African learners, many of whom face prohibitive tuition fees for technology courses or lack access to high-quality online training.