California just rolled out big AI education partnerships with Adobe, Google, IBM, and Microsoft to boost GenAI skills across its schools and colleges.
The state is home to 33 of the top 50 private AI companies worldwide and is doubling down on training tomorrow’s workforce with free AI tools and courses from these giants.
Adobe is expanding access to AI-powered tools like Adobe Express, Acrobat, and Firefly, along with AI literacy resources for classrooms. 
Mala Sharma, Adobe VP and GM for Education, said:
To create the future, today’s students must learn to speak the language of tomorrow. That means not only having access to Adobe’s world-class, classroom-ready AI-powered tools as they are creating, ideating, or studying, but also becoming fluent in AI itself. This is equally important for educators because when we invest in teachers, we invest in every student they will ever reach. By empowering both students and educators with AI skills and knowledge, Adobe is proud to take a critical step toward building an innovative workforce that thrives in the digital world of today and tomorrow.
Google will provide free access to its Prompting Essentials course for students and the Generative AI for Educators course for teachers. They’ll also keep working with California agencies to modernize government services using GenAI.
Matthew Schneider, Google Managing Director of Education and Government, stated:
Generative AI is reshaping the future of work, revolutionizing industries and creating entirely new career paths. By collaborating with California to make this technology more accessible to K-12 classrooms, higher education institutions, and innovative start-ups, we’re empowering Californians with the skills and knowledge to thrive in the robust GenAI economy of tomorrow.
IBM focuses on integrating AI in California’s community colleges, expanding AI labs, and industry certifications through IBM SkillsBuild.
Dinesh Nirmal, IBM Senior VP, said:
IBM is proud to collaborate with the State of California to expand access to AI education and economic opportunity. As AI transforms the workplace, the demand for skilled workers is growing rapidly. Through IBM SkillsBuild and our collaboration with California’s community colleges, we are empowering students and educators with the tools, training, and credentials they need to thrive in an AI-driven economy.
Microsoft partnered with California Community Colleges to deliver AI and cybersecurity bootcamps, including Copilot training for faculty and students.
Beth Dann, Microsoft General Manager for State and Education, said:
Microsoft is proud to partner with the State of California to help ensure students, faculty, and staff across the California Community Colleges system have access to the AI skills needed in today’s workforce. By supporting AI literacy, cybersecurity training, and hands-on learning opportunities through our Copilot technology and trusted training partners, we’re investing in the future of California. We’re grateful to Governor Newsom’s office and the California Government Operations Agency for their leadership in creating pathways into the digital workforce.
California’s Gov. Newsom signed an executive order in 2023 driving ethical GenAI adoption across state agencies, tackling issues like highway congestion and customer service with AI.
Newsom also commissioned a landmark “California Report on Frontier AI Policy,” setting guidelines to ensure safe, responsible AI use statewide.
This is California playing offense on AI education and policy while cementing its GenAI dominance. The implementation phase kicks off with ongoing efforts across education, government, and startups.
