Free AI Skills Training Expands Across Asia-Pacific
Learners and teachers in 19 markets can now find AI courses in 16 languages through local partners and a new learning platform.
Updated on Nov. 11, 2026 in Language Learning
AVPN has selected 28 organisations as local implementing partners for phase three of the AI Opportunity Fund: Asia-Pacific, which now operates across 19 markets. Alongside the cohort, AVPN launched the AI Opportunity Learning Platform in 16 languages.
Why it matters
For learners and educators across Asia-Pacific, the expansion means AI skills training is reaching more classrooms and workplaces, with local partners delivering it in familiar languages. The Fund's growth over three phases signals sustained investment in AI capability through successive cohorts of students.
Google.org's total commitment to the Fund stands at USD 35 million across three funding rounds, and the Fund has trained more than 850,000 workers and 63,000 small businesses to date. Phase three selected 28 local implementing partners operating in 19 markets, and the learning platform is available in 16 languages.
The players
AVPN
A regional philanthropy network that selected the phase three partners and launched the AI Opportunity Learning Platform.
Google.org
The philanthropic arm of Google that has committed USD 35 million to the AI Opportunity Fund.
Pratham Education Foundation
An Indian education nonprofit that will train teachers to use AI critically in the classroom.
JA Korea
The South Korean branch of Junior Achievement, which has trained 11,000 teachers over six years and will add certification for public school educators.
AI Edu Corp
A Vietnamese provider that has trained nearly 150,000 educators, students and workers since 2019 and works with Vietnam's Ministry of Education and Training.
The details
Each local partner runs training through classrooms or workplaces in its own market, with the new cohort also working alongside AI Ready ASEAN, led by ASEAN Foundation. The AI Opportunity Learning Platform connects learners to these local programs and asks new users to complete a short assessment, which then recommends a learning pathway. A Gemini-powered assistant guides users through the platform. In South Korea, JA Korea plans to pair Google's AI training with formal certification for public school educators, building on training it has already delivered to 11,000 teachers over six years.
Timeline
The Fund launched in 2024 with a USD 15 million commitment.
Phase Two funding of USD 10 million arrived in May 2025.
Phase Three funding of USD 10 million arrived in May 2026.
AVPN announced the phase three partners and launched the learning platform on November 11, 2026.
Education Landscape
Phase three extends a Google.org-backed AI training program that has grown from a USD 15 million launch in 2024 to a USD 35 million total commitment. It also works alongside AI Ready ASEAN, the regional initiative led by ASEAN Foundation, placing the expansion within a broader Southeast Asian push to build AI skills in schools and workplaces.
If you are a teacher, worker or small business owner in one of the 19 participating markets, check with a local partner or the learning platform to see whether a program in your language and region is available. Learners can take the short assessment on the AI Opportunity Learning Platform to receive a suggested learning pathway, and educators may ask their school administrators whether certification options such as those planned in South Korea are offered locally.
The takeaway
The expansion shows AI skills training moving from pilot programs toward repeated, locally delivered cohorts across Asia-Pacific. Learners who want to start can take the platform's short assessment to get a pathway matched to their level and language.
Further reading
For more on how digital tools are changing how people build new skills, explore our Language Learning coverage.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Macau Business.
