Sundar Pichai Unveils New Google AI Certificate

In a significant move to democratize high-level technology education, Google CEO Sundar Pichai has officially announced the launch of a new Google AI Professional Certificate course. Speaking at the AI Impact Summit 2026 in New Delhi on February 18, 2026, Pichai outlined a vision where artificial intelligence becomes a “planetary-scale” tool for social and economic growth, particularly in India.

This new program is part of the broader India-America Connect Initiative, which seeks to strengthen digital ties through both physical infrastructure—like the newly announced subsea cable routes—and human capital development.

The New Google AI Professional Certificate: Key Highlights

The newly unveiled certificate is designed to go beyond basic theory, focusing instead on “AI fluency” and practical, workplace-ready skills.

1. Comprehensive 7-Course Curriculum

The program consists of seven specialized modules designed to help learners integrate AI into their daily professional workflows:

• AI Fundamentals: Understanding core concepts and effective prompting.
• Brainstorming & Planning: Using AI to develop project timelines and creative concepts.
• Research & Insights: Leveraging tools like NotebookLM and Deep Research for data-driven decision-making.
• Writing & Communication: Refining professional messaging for different stakeholders.
• Content Creation: Generating high-quality visual assets, videos, and presentations.
• Data Analysis: Using Gemini in Google Sheets to clean and visualize complex data.
• Capstone Project: Mastering “vibe coding” to build custom applications without writing a single line of code.

2. Accessibility and Language Inclusivity

Recognizing India’s linguistic diversity, Google is making the course available in English and Hindi, with plans to expand into other Indian languages soon. This ensures that the barrier to entry isn’t just technical, but also linguistic.

3. Strategic Partnerships

To ensure the course reaches the grassroots level, Google has partnered with Wadhwani AI and Karmayogi Bharat. These collaborations aim to train over 20 million public servants and millions of students across 800+ districts.

Eligibility and How to Enroll

One of the most appealing aspects of this announcement is the low barrier to entry.

• Who can apply? The course is open to students, early-career professionals, and career switchers.
• Prior Experience: No prior technical background or coding experience is required. The curriculum is built for anyone who wants to use AI as a “thought partner.”
• Age Limit: Generally, learners aged 18 and above are preferred for the professional certification, though motivated students can participate.
• Technical Requirements: A basic internet connection and a Google account are all that’s needed to start.

Why This Matters for Your Career

Sundar Pichai emphasized that AI is the “biggest platform shift of our lifetime.” The stats shared by Google back this up:

• Hiring Priority: 70% of employers now prioritize candidates with AI skills over those with more years of experience.
• Efficiency: AI-fluent professionals report saving an average of 8 hours per week on routine tasks.
• Wage Growth: Workers skilled in AI are significantly more likely to report higher wages and faster promotions.

The Infrastructure Connection

This skilling push is backed by massive physical investment. Pichai highlighted the development of a $15 billion AI Hub in Vizag (Visakhapatnam), which will house gigawatt-scale compute power. By training the workforce now, Google aims to ensure that when this infrastructure is fully operational, there is a local talent pool ready to lead the “AI era.”