Missouri is launching a new partnership with Google to provide students, educators, and residents with free access to artificial intelligence tools, training, and industry credentials. This initiative aims to help educators save time and equip the workforce with skills needed for high-demand technology careers. Further information on accessing these programs is available on the Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education or the Department of Higher Education and Workforce Development websites.
The collaboration involves the Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE) and the Department of Higher Education and Workforce Development (DHEWD). It seeks to offer nearly 100,000 educators and over 1.1 million students across K-12 and higher education institutions access to advanced AI tools, educational curricula, and professional certifications at no cost.
Research suggests that AI can save educators an average of 10 hours a week on administrative tasks, allowing them more time for student interaction and support. This initiative will enable Missouri’s public schools and higher education institutions to utilize:
- Enterprise-grade AI tools
- Comprehensive training programs
- Industry-recognized credentials
Google’s educational tools come with rigorous data security and privacy standards. Conversations and data within Gemini for Education are protected by enterprise-level security, ensuring they remain private and are not used to train Google’s AI models. Educational institutions also retain control over their data to maintain a secure digital environment.
Although this partnership is implemented at the state level, participation in Google’s AI tools and training programs is not mandatory. Each educational institution can decide if, when, and how to integrate these resources to best meet their community’s needs.
Beyond traditional education, the partnership offers Google Career Certificates and AI courses to all Missouri residents through local Job Centers. This initiative aims to prepare the population for current and future job markets by combining educational innovation with community workforce development. Missouri is setting an example of how states can responsibly integrate AI into educational and professional training environments.
For more details about accessing these tools, visit the Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education at dese.mo.gov and the Department of Higher Education and Workforce Development at dhewd.mo.gov.
