Massachusetts is launching a significant initiative with Google, offering free online artificial intelligence training to all residents starting in April. Governor Maura Healey announced this partnership, aiming to position the state as a leader in applied AI. The program, part of the Mass. Digital Future initiative and managed by the Massachusetts Artificial Intelligence Hub, provides access to Google's AI Professional Certificate and other career-focused courses. This builds on Healey's earlier decision to deploy ChatGPT across the state's executive branch.
The impact of AI on the workforce is evident, with Suumit Shah, CEO of Dukaan, claiming his decision to fire 80% of his staff two years ago for not adopting AI was correct. Shah states his company is now more efficient, with an AI chatbot handling 85% of customer queries faster. Concurrently, Rowspace secured $50 million in funding from Sequoia and Stripe to develop AI solutions that help investment firms leverage internal data for enhanced insights and production-level AI systems.
As AI adoption grows, so do security concerns. A virtual summit on AI Security and Governance is scheduled for April 28, 2026, to address risks like AI weaponization and deepfake attacks, which nearly 60% of companies have experienced. The Thales 2026 Data Threat Report indicates 61% of businesses view AI as their top data security threat. Solutions are emerging, with 7AI integrating its Agentic AI SOC with AWS Security Hub for automated security operations, and Fisher Phillips launching an AI Governance Hub for employer compliance.
The autonomous nature of agentic AI also raises liability questions, as human users often bear responsibility for errors made by these systems. In finance, AI and machine learning are valuable for analysis and surveillance, but regulators caution against relying on them for market predictions or guaranteed returns. The broader societal implications of AI, including its role in schools and parenting, are also being actively discussed, highlighting the need for understanding and responsible integration.
Key Takeaways
- Massachusetts is offering free Google AI training to all residents, aiming to become a leading state for applied AI.
- Governor Maura Healey previously deployed ChatGPT across the state's executive branch.
- Suumit Shah, CEO of Dukaan, fired 80% of his staff for refusing AI, claiming improved efficiency and customer satisfaction.
- Rowspace raised $50 million from Sequoia and Stripe to develop AI solutions for investment firms.
- An AI Security and Governance Virtual Summit will be held on April 28, 2026, to address AI risks and secure deployment.
- 61% of companies view AI as their top data security threat, and nearly 60% have experienced deepfake-driven attacks.
- 7AI integrates its Agentic AI SOC with AWS Security Hub for automated AI security operations.
- Fisher Phillips launched an AI Governance Hub to help employers navigate AI's workplace impact, offering audits and policy formulation.
- Agentic AI raises liability questions, with human users often held responsible for system errors.
- AI in finance is for analysis and surveillance, not for making final trading decisions or predicting markets, as regulators warn.
Massachusetts residents get free Google AI training
Massachusetts residents can now access Google's online artificial intelligence courses for free starting in April. Governor Maura Healey announced this initiative to help residents gain skills for the evolving job market. The courses cover AI tools and coding, and are part of the state's Mass. Digital Future initiative. Google has previously issued over one million professional certifications, with many recipients reporting career advancements.
Mass. partners with Google for free AI career certificates
Massachusetts is partnering with Google to offer free online AI career certificate courses to all state residents. Governor Maura Healey announced the initiative, aiming to make Massachusetts the leading state for applied AI. The program, available through the Mass. Digital Future initiative, will help residents gain skills for jobs in AI-driven industries. Google's Grow with Google program will provide the training, which is also being offered to small businesses nationwide.
Massachusetts offers free AI training to all residents via Google
Governor Maura Healey announced a statewide partnership with Google to provide free artificial intelligence training to all Massachusetts residents. The initiative, launched at Google's Cambridge office, offers access to Google's AI Professional Certificate and other career programs at no cost. This program, managed by the Massachusetts Artificial Intelligence Hub, aims to equip residents, students, and small businesses with essential AI and technology skills. This follows Healey's earlier decision to deploy ChatGPT across the state's executive branch.
Google and Mass. AI Hub launch free AI training initiative
Google is partnering with the Massachusetts AI Hub to offer a new AI training initiative for the Commonwealth's residents. Governor Maura Healey announced the collaboration, which aims to equip residents with essential AI literacy for current and future jobs. This initiative, supported by Google's Cambridge office, makes AI literacy and professional training accessible to everyone in Massachusetts. The program is part of Google's Grow with Google efforts.
New partnership offers free AI training for Massachusetts residents
A new statewide partnership between Google and the Massachusetts AI Hub will provide free artificial intelligence and career certificate training to residents. Governor Maura Healey announced the initiative, stating it will strengthen the state's workforce and maintain its leadership in AI innovation. Google's Career Certificate program has helped over a million people globally, with most reporting career improvements. The training includes AI Professional Certificates and other areas like cybersecurity and IT support.
Google AI training now free for all Mass. residents
Governor Maura Healey announced that all Massachusetts residents will receive free access to Google's online artificial intelligence and technology training courses. The initiative, launched at Google's Kendall Square office, aims to make Massachusetts the leading state for applied AI. Healey emphasized that understanding AI is crucial for safety and competitiveness in the evolving economy. The partnership seeks to address fears about AI and equip residents with necessary skills.
Google offers free AI training to all Massachusetts residents
Google has partnered with the Massachusetts AI Hub to offer free AI skills training to all residents of the state. This initiative addresses the AI skills shortage and worker anxiety about automation. The program uses Google's Grow with Google platform, aiming to provide systematic AI literacy. Massachusetts, home to top universities and tech sectors, is positioning itself as an AI innovation hub. The training covers practical AI applications for various industries.
Free AI training available to all Massachusetts residents
Governor Maura Healey has partnered with Google to offer free AI training to all Massachusetts residents through the Grow with Google program. This initiative aims to close the digital skills gap and keep the state's workforce competitive as AI evolves. Residents can access the Google AI Professional Certificate and other programs covering areas like cybersecurity and project management. State officials believe this collaboration democratizes access to high-level tech education for students, job seekers, and small businesses.
AI Security and Governance Virtual Summit on April 28
An AI Security and Governance Virtual Summit will be held on April 28, 2026, from 14:10 to 18:50. The summit will address the security, governance, and risk implications of AI adoption in enterprises. Speakers will share insights on managing AI risk, building trustworthy AI programs, and defending against AI-driven threats. The event will cover topics like AI weaponization, AI agents' impact on cyber-risk, secure AI deployment frameworks, and live Q&A sessions. CPE credits will be available.
AI Security and Governance Virtual Summit set for April 28
The AI Security and Governance Virtual Summit will take place on April 28, 2026, from 14:10 to 18:50, focusing on the challenges of securing AI systems. Discussions will cover how attackers use AI, the risks posed by AI agents, and practical frameworks for secure AI deployment. The summit aims to equip leaders with strategies for secure AI implementation. It will include expert speakers and live Q&A sessions, offering CPE credits.
CEO claims firing 80% of staff for refusing AI was right
Two years ago, Suumit Shah, CEO of Dukaan, fired 80% of his employees for refusing to use AI tools. He now claims the decision was correct, stating his company is more efficient and customer satisfaction has improved. Shah's AI chatbot handled 85% of customer queries faster than human agents, leading to significant cost savings. While his company thrives, critics point to the harshness of the layoffs and the limited applicability of his approach to larger organizations.
Rowspace raises $50M for AI investment insights
Rowspace has secured $50 million in funding from Sequoia and Stripe to develop AI solutions for investment firms. The company helps financial institutions leverage their internal data for better investment insights. Rowspace gathers and analyzes firm data, integrating it into workflows to aid decision-making. This funding will support development and expansion with financial institutions seeking to implement production-level AI systems.
7AI integrates agentic AI security with AWS Security Hub
7AI's Agentic AI SOC now integrates with the Extended plan for AWS Security Hub, offering automated AI security operations. This integration simplifies procurement for customers using AWS services like Amazon GuardDuty and AWS CloudTrail. 7AI's AI agents automate alert triage, investigations, and remediation, reducing noise and freeing up analyst time. The system processes millions of alerts and completes thousands of investigations, aiming to let human analysts focus on strategic decisions.
AI and deepfakes create major security risks for businesses
Artificial Intelligence and deepfakes pose significant security risks, with 61% of companies viewing AI as their top data security threat, according to the Thales 2026 Data Threat Report. Granting AI tools broad access makes them potential insider threats, while threat actors use deepfakes for attacks. Nearly 60% of companies have experienced deepfake-driven attacks, leading to reputational damage for many. Most businesses still rely on traditional security measures, with limited budgets dedicated to AI security.
Fisher Phillips launches AI Governance Hub for employers
Fisher Phillips has launched an AI Governance Hub to help employers navigate the impact of artificial intelligence in the workplace. The hub offers services like AI audits, risk assessments, policy formulation, and employee training to ensure AI initiatives are innovative and compliant. Services include drafting AI policies, managing third-party AI risks, AI bias audits with Solas AI, and compliance audits using the NIST AI Risk Management Framework. The goal is to help businesses use AI responsibly and ethically.
Liability questions arise as AI agents act autonomously
Miguel Fornes of Surfshark warns that agentic AI, capable of executing actions and accessing data, is more than just an advanced chatbot. He explains that consumers and businesses are acting as 'unpaid QA analysts' by giving credentials to systems they don't fully understand. A key legal issue is determining liability when AI agents err, as current laws often hold the human user responsible, not the software provider. Securing these systems is also challenging due to their reliance on interpretation rather than binary access.
Podcast discusses AI's role in schools and parenting
A podcast episode from Slate's Care and Feeding series discusses the impact of AI, including ChatGPT, in schools. An AI expert joins the conversation to explore the benefits, drawbacks, and inevitability of these technologies in education. The discussion also touches on how parents can navigate the presence of AI in their children's lives and education.
AI trading tools offer analysis not market predictions
Artificial intelligence and machine learning are used in finance for analysis, surveillance, and productivity, not for making final trading decisions. Regulators warn against relying on AI for market predictions due to potential inaccuracies. While AI excels at processing data and spotting patterns, it cannot consistently predict financial markets. Serious firms use AI to improve processes and test strategies, rather than handing over judgment completely. Retail investors should be cautious of AI tools promising guaranteed returns.
Sources
- Free online AI courses from Google coming to Mass. residents
- Mass. to offer residents free AI career certificate courses through Google
- Massachusetts to offer free AI training to all residents
- Google and the Massachusetts AI Hub are launching a new AI training initiative for the Commonwealth.
- Partnership launched to provide free AI training to Massachusetts residents
- All Mass. residents to get free access to Google AI training classes, Healey says
- Google Opens Free AI Training to All Massachusetts Residents
- Free AI training is coming to all Massachusetts residents
- AI Security and Governance Virtual Summit
- AI Security and Governance Virtual Summit
- Two years ago, this CEO fired 80% of his employees because they refused to use AI. Today, he claims he was right
- Rowspace lands $50M from Sequoia, Stripe for AI investment insights
- 7AI Agentic AI SOC Integrates with Extended Plan for AWS Security Hub
- AI and deepfakes are proving to be a security nightmare for businesses everywhere
- AI Governance Hub
- Who is Liable When AI Agents Go Rogue?
- The A.I. Free For All In Schools
- Does AI trading really work?
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