Learn genAI skills for the real-world in learning paths from Google | App Developer Magazine

With recent advancements in artificial intelligence (AI), many organizations feel unequipped to harness the full potential of this burgeoning industry. Surprisingly, only 62% of businesses reported experiencing a significant AI skills gap despite numerous people in the IT sector recognizing the need for more specialized training in this field.

Google Cloud aims to bridge this skills gap by offering practical training and courses designed to equip developers and data professionals with the knowledge they need to integrate advanced AI applications into real-world scenarios. However, staying ahead in the rapidly evolving AI landscape demands constant learning to stay abreast of new developments and advancements.

The problem is further complicated by the fact that nearly 70% of AI talent needs to continually update their skills, according to a 2024 survey. As a result, many individuals working in the technical field lack the necessary training to shift from theoretical learning to practical application.

Recently, new generative AI learning offers have been introduced through Google Cloud Skills Boost. This facility provides four separate learning paths – building applications, managing and securing machine learning models, generating impactful content, and data analysis. These courses take participants a step further by training them to incorporate AI skills into their daily work and test their abilities in real-world scenarios.

Generative AI has considerable potential, and realizing its real-world applications requires first-hand experience and technical know-how. By following the new learning paths from Google Cloud, professionals can acquire essential skills that will enhance their current roles. For example, improving customer experiences or boosting team productivity are two common outcomes of proper training in AI.

The training paths consist of several learning activities such as online courses, hands-on labs, and skill badges to showcase gained expertise. It’s recommended to complete one learning path per month to steadily build skills and proficiency.

The training includes courses that familiarize learners with innovative applications like Gemini in BigQuery to support the data-to-AI pipeline and improve productivity. Participants will also learn how to manage the complete lifecycle of generative AI models, from development to deployment to monitoring. The focus is also on creating more intelligent applications for text and visual content using generative AI.

People interested in learning more can join the Google Cloud Innovators community. This no-cost developer program provides 35 unrestricted learning credits each month for all courses and labs. This allocation allows a participant to complete one of the new learning paths every month.

Innovators also have exclusive learning opportunities. They can take part in AI Skills Quests where they can engage in hands-on experiments and interact with like-minded peers. They also have access to three new courses on Google Cloud Skills Boost covering Security in AI World, Productivity Enhancement with Gemini, and Building Generative AI Agents with Vertex AI and Flutter.

To sum up, the world of AI is constantly evolving and new learning paths offer a unique chance for developers and data experts to upgrade their skills and keep pace with advancements. It’s an exciting time for tech professionals, with numerous opportunities available for those eager to learn and adapt.