Google opens free AI training to about 650,000 UK and Ireland educators

Google is expanding its AI Educator Series to around 650,000 educators across the UK and Ireland, covering primary, secondary and Higher Education with free training. Sessions are delivered through teacher-led virtual and in-person events or self-paced modules in the Google Learning Centre, with individual modules lasting 15 to 45 minutes and micro-credentials and badges awarded on completion. Content ranges from foundational Gemini use to pedagogical and administrative applications, inclusive design, student support and agentic workflows. Google has also partnered with the National Governance Association to develop an AI Policy Toolkit for school governors and trustees.

This is a large-scale AI capacity-building effort by a major technology company directly targeting the UK and Ireland education systems, reaching around 650,000 educators and changing the conditions under which these teachers encounter and use AI tools, with potential effects on school procurement and classroom adoption. For education product practitioners, Gemini entering teacher training pathways resets awareness and adoption thresholds. It should be noted that the Public First 74% figure represents potential for role enhancement rather than measured productivity gains, and there is no independent evaluation of the training's effects. Around 650,000 educators across the UK and Ireland can access free Gemini-related training, widening teachers' exposure to and familiarity with AI tools. Google's policy toolkit with the National Governance Association gives school governors and trustees a reference for AI policy decisions, potentially shaping school-level adoption and governance.