Google Invests $5 Million in Youth Digital Wellbeing, Expands AI Literacy Programs in Southeast Asia
Google.org announced today a $5 million commitment to promote youth digital wellbeing in Southeast Asia, alongside continued expansion of its AI literacy initiatives that have already reached over 800,000 people across the region.
Launched in October 2024, the AI Ready ASEAN initiative has provided essential AI skills to young people, educators, and parents, with its new online platform, AI Class ASEAN, already serving over 14,000 users in a self-paced learning format. This investment aims to equip teenagers, parents, and teachers with resources to foster healthy relationships with technology, a growing concern as digital adoption accelerates. The initiative builds on Google’s broader efforts to address the digital divide and prepare the workforce for the future of work.
In addition to the wellbeing funding, Google’s Gemini Academy has trained more than 290,000 teachers in Indonesia, Malaysia, Thailand, Vietnam, and the Philippines to integrate AI tools into their classrooms. Students aged 18 and above throughout the region will also receive free access to the Gemini AI Pro Plan for 12 months. Google.org has provided over $40 million in cash donations, $80 million in product donations, and 20,000 volunteer hours from Googlers since 2020, impacting nearly 4 million learners. You can learn more about responsible AI development from Google’s AI principles.
These efforts are part of a larger commitment to collaboration with governments, businesses, and communities across ASEAN to build an inclusive and responsible AI ecosystem, according to company officials. The World Economic Forum highlights the importance of closing the AI skills gap to maximize the benefits of this technology.
Google plans to continue working with regional partners to scale these programs and ensure AI benefits everyone in Southeast Asia.
Our approach begins with building a strong foundation of AI literacy for everyone. Google.org’s support towards the ASEAN Foundation’s launch of the AI Ready ASEAN initiative is at the heart of this commitment. Since launching in October 2024, this regional program has equipped over 800,000 young people, educators, and parents with essential AI literacy skills. The initiative’s new online platform, AI Class ASEAN, launched just two months ago, and is already serving over 14,000 users, further scaling access to crucial training in a self-paced format.
Digital adoption must be paired with safety and wellbeing. That is why Google.org is committing US$5 million to promote youth digital wellbeing in Southeast Asia. We will support leading nonprofits to equip teenagers, parents and teachers with practical resources and tools to build healthy, positive relationships with technology.
Google is also providing targeted support for classrooms and educators. Our Gemini Academy has trained more than 290,000 teachers across Indonesia, Malaysia, Thailand, Vietnam and the Philippines, helping them integrate AI tools into their classrooms. And to ensure the next generation is prepared, we have rolled out our Gemini AI Pro Plan free for 12 months for students aged 18 and above throughout the region.
Continuing the AI journey together
Our commitment to making sure everyone can benefit from technology isn’t new.
Since 2020, Google.org has supported social impact organizations in Southeast Asia with more than $40 million in cash donations, $80 million in product donations and 20,000 hours volunteered by Googlers with their tech expertise. And this has helped to reach close to 4 million learners across Southeast Asia including equipping youth, educators, MSMEs to help them improve digital skilling, cybersecurity and AI literacy.
The opportunities ahead can only be realized through collaboration. By working closely with governments, businesses, and communities across ASEAN, we can build an AI ecosystem that is innovative, inclusive and responsible.
Together, we can ensure AI becomes a powerful engine for progress and helps create a more prosperous and resilient future for everyone in the region.
