Lisa Gevelber of Grow with Google on Why AI Fluency Is the New Workforce Skill

Lisa Gevelber is the founder and leader of Grow with Google, Google's economic opportunity initiative focused on helping people build skills, careers, and businesses. Through Google Career Certificates and AI training programs, she has helped millions of learners develop workforce-ready skills and navigate an increasingly AI-driven economy.

💡 5 Things You’ll Learn in This Episode

1.  Why AI fluency is becoming an essential workforce skill for every profession. 
2.  How Grow with Google is helping learners build practical AI skills at scale. 
3.  The growing role of AI credentials and certificates in higher education. 
4.  How universities are integrating AI training into student, faculty, and alumni learning. 
5.  Why lifelong learning and career mobility will be critical in the age of AI. 

✨ Episode Highlights
[00:03:10] The founding story of Grow with Google and its mission to expand economic opportunity through skills training.
[00:04:16] Lisa explains the difference between simply using AI and becoming truly AI fluent.
[00:06:20] How Google keeps AI training current through educator partnerships and bite-sized learning.
[00:08:06] The Google AI Professional Certificate and its ACE recommendation for college credit.
[00:10:14] How the University of Virginia is combining AI certificate learning with real-world small business impact.
[00:12:41] The rapid growth of Google's AI for Education Accelerator and the power of peer learning among institutions.
[00:14:24] Why flexible, industry-recognized credentials are becoming essential for career transitions and lifelong learning.
[00:17:08] Lisa shares where educators, students, and professionals can access Grow with Google resources.

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Transcript

[00:00:00] Alex Sarlin: This season of EdTech Insiders is brought to you by Cooley LLP. Cooley is the go-to law firm for education and edtech innovators, offering industry-informed counsel across the pre-K to gray spectrum. With a multidisciplinary approach and a powerful edtech ecosystem, Cooley helps shape the future of education.

This season of EdTech Insiders is brought to you by Starbridge. Every year, K-12 districts and higher ed institutions spend over half a trillion dollars, but most sales teams miss the signals. Starbridge tracks early signs like board minutes, budget drafts, and strategic plans, and then helps you turn them into personalized outreach fast.

Win the deal before it hits the RFP stage. That's how top edtech teams stay ahead. 

[00:00:53] Lisa Gevelber: I think actually one of the ways we can all learn about these tools and stay up to date is by learning from each other. So we as Google are providing these incredible tools like the certificate program. What I think is also very interesting is the Google AI for Education Accelerator, which offers the opportunity for schools to learn from each other.

So we started the Google AI for Education Accelerator in 2025 toward the end of the year. We started with about 100 colleges and universities. Now there are well over 400 colleges and universities participating, and being part of the accelerator means you can access all of our certificates and training programs for free, but it also means that you can share best practices and learnings with other schools really easily.

[00:01:44] Alex Sarlin: Welcome to EdTech Insiders, the top podcast covering the education technology industry. From funding rounds to impact to AI developments across early childhood, K-12, higher ed, and work, you'll find it all here at EdTech Insiders. 

[00:02:00] Ben Kornell: Remember to subscribe to the pod, check out our newsletter, and also our event calendar.

And to go deeper, check out EdTech Insiders Plus, where you can get premium content, access to our WhatsApp channel, early access to events, and backchannel insights from Alex and Ben. Hope you enjoy today's pod.

Hello, EdTech Insider listeners. I am so excited to be joined by Lisa Gevelber from Grow with Google. It's the company's economic opportunity initiative which helps people grow their skills, careers, and businesses. Over four hundred thousand Americans have used her Google Career Certificates training to move into high-paying careers.

Lisa's current focus is helping tens of millions of people learn to use AI. Lisa, welcome to EdTech Insiders. 

[00:02:54] Lisa Gevelber: It's so nice to be here, Ben. Thanks for having me. 

[00:02:57] Ben Kornell: Before we go too far into AI fluency and kind of where the workforce is headed, can you just tell us about the founding story of Grow with Google?

How did it get started, and how has it grown or evolved over the years? 

[00:03:10] Lisa Gevelber: Yeah. Well, we started Grow with Google about eight years ago now with this fundamental belief that the opportunities that are created by technology should truly be available to everyone. And since that time, our focus has been on helping people grow their skills, careers, and businesses to meet those opportunities of today.

And as you said, we've reached well over four hundred thousand Americans, bringing them to new jobs and careers, and many more people we've helped learn basic digital skills. As a matter of fact, I think we're up to thirteen million Americans who we've taught basic digital skills that they can use in their everyday lives, in their learning at school, but also in the world of work.

[00:03:55] Ben Kornell: That's amazing. I feel like we've had this transformation overnight with AI changing the workforce, and you really talk about AI fluency as the new workforce skill. From your perspective, what separates someone who is simply using AI tools from someone who is truly AI fluent in today's landscape? 

[00:04:16] Lisa Gevelber: Yeah, we've, we've actually been doing a lot of work on this and worked directly with Ipsos and the Burning Glass Institute to think about what does AI fluency look like today.

I guess in a nutshell, think of it as people who are using AI, not in kind of a bolted-on way, but in a fundamentally the way they work way. So they're using it not just to write an email or to summarize something. They're using it to solve a real problem, to make a decision, deeply understand their data or a lot of information, and they're just approaching it as a fundamental way that they work.

I think a lot of people think that AI is a tech skill, but in fact, we believe it's a professional skill, and it's a good student skill as well, right? Whether you're working in school or you're working at work, there's a lot that AI can do to help you perform even better. But it's a, a new muscle for everyone.

What we're trying to do is make sure that everyone has the skills they need to make AI work for them in the way they need it to work, and that's why we're working directly with educators, K-12 all the way up to higher education. And we're working directly with individuals and with companies because whether you're using AI in your classroom work as a student or in your classroom planning as a teacher, or you're using it for work, whether you work in a small business or a large corporation What everyone wants to do is make AI work for them, and that's really what Google is trying to do with our programs, is help you do that well.

[00:05:50] Ben Kornell: So one of the challenges with any curriculum is that you've got to keep it relevant and updated, and then here we are with AI. Seems to change week over week. How have you thought about evolving Grow with Google so that people have the practical and relevant skills but are also kind of keeping up with the latest advancements, things like agentic AI or things like new models and what they can do?

How do you build something that's on that kind of trajectory? 

[00:06:20] Lisa Gevelber: Yeah, it's definitely been a, a journey even for us to keep up. There are so many good things happening. I mean, really our goal is to make sure that everyone can use it both effectively and responsibly, and that includes knowing what it's good at and what it's not good at, and what you should use it for and what you shouldn't.

And we work really hard, as you're saying, to keep the content up to date. We also work really closely with partners. So we recently launched our Google Educator series, which teaches educators how to use AI, and we built it the way educators wanted it. So we partnered with ISTE ASCD, and we worked with them and with teachers to build AI training for teachers.

We're building a long form course, like an hour or two, but we also built these bite-sized, really practical nuggets for teachers because we know sometimes you only have a short break between classes that you have to learn, or you want to sneak something in during your lunch hour. And so I think this bite-sized work is also really critical.

And the good news is, when we're trying to keep up on the latest, we can make new bite-sized lessons that everyone can get in real time so that they're also up to speed as things change. 

[00:07:37] Ben Kornell: So one of the key pieces of Grow with Google is that you actually get credentials, and there's an A-C-E, ACE credential.

It's a credit that feels like a signal, a real signal for higher education or for career that you're serious about kind of learning those skills. Now that AI is really in focus, what conversations are you having with universities about this credential and how it could blend with their traditional degree pathways?

[00:08:06] Lisa Gevelber: Yeah. We're seeing universities and colleges really receptive to wanting to make sure that everyone knows how to use AI. They don't want any student to graduate without knowing how to use it, just like they do want their own faculty and staff to be able to use it as well. And I love this recommendation for credit from the American Council on Education.

We have been working with the American Council on Education since the very beginning of Grow with Google. All of our career certificates, whether it's in data analytics, cybersecurity, project management, or any of our other certificates, all of them come with ACE recommendation for college credit. And our new Google AI Professional Certificate was given a recommendation by the American Council on Education for one college credit.

And I just love that because if you're a school who wants to make sure that your students know how to use AI in an effective and responsible way, now you also have an incentive, as you say, a credential that you can offer one credit in addition to earning a credential from Google for the Google AI Professional Certificate.

You can also get one credit from your college according to ACE. Now, not every college or university is offering the credit, but we would really encourage them to do so. I think it's a win for everyone. And we can talk a little bit about the Google AI Professional Certificate and how we built it specifically to help people be successful in the workplace.

[00:09:30] Ben Kornell: Yeah, I feel like the unbundling of university credits is like a larger trend that we're seeing, and the ability to have something that's rapidly updated, that is connected with industry, has a certain appeal for universities that still want to provide that spine of a transcript, even if some of the kind of learning is delivered in outside modules.

On the practical side, you know, as we were looking at Grow with Google, we were really looking for some examples of how schools or universities are enacting this. Can you tell us a little bit about the University of Virginia and what their rollout of AI and specifically Grow with Google has looked like?

[00:10:14] Lisa Gevelber: Yeah, absolutely. I always love talking about these examples 'cause different schools are also doing different things, as they should, right? They're doing what they think is right for their population. The University of Virginia is a super interesting example. They have a large group of students who are taking the Google AI Professional Certificate training, which teaches them how to use AI for the world of work, and then they're applying those skills that they have learned by helping local small businesses put AI to work in their business.

Hmm. And I just love that. That's like exactly the kind of applied learning that's great for students, but also great for their communities. We know, because we work with millions of small businesses at Google, that AI is a giant unlock for small business growth, and small businesses who know how to use AI are much more likely to be actively growing their business.

As a matter of fact, the US Chamber of Commerce says that among small businesses who are using AI, about 80% of them are reporting growth, which is tremendous. But what could be better than having a fresh college student sitting with you, understanding your business, and then applying what they've learned from Google about how to leverage AI to help your business grow?

So I think this University of Virginia program is really special and interesting. I would also call out there's a bunch of universities who are not only offering the Google Career Certificates and the Google AI Professional Certificate to their students and faculty and staff, but the University of Michigan and NYU and others are actually also offering it for alumni.

And I think that's really important because we're way past the time in society where we can all learn everything we need to know for our careers when we are in school. The reality is there's such a huge opportunity for all of us to keep learning, and these universities, like the University of Michigan, NYU, and others, are really recognizing that and saying, "Hey, we have a long-term commitment to our alumni, and we're gonna keep providing them with the best possible learning tools to make sure that they stay ready and prepared for the world of work as it changes."

[00:12:25] Ben Kornell: Mm-hmm. You know, as you look forward and peek around the corner three to five years, what do you hope becomes the new normal about AI in education, and where do you think institutions still need to be cautious or intentional as they scale these tools? 

[00:12:41] Lisa Gevelber: I think actually one of the ways we can all learn about these tools and stay up to date is by learning from each other.

So we as Google are providing these incredible tools like the certificate program. What I think is also very interesting is the Google AI for Education Accelerator, which offers the opportunity for schools to learn from each other. So we started the Google AI for Education Accelerator in twenty twenty-five toward the end of the year.

We started with about a hundred colleges and universities. Now there are well over four hundred colleges and universities participating, and being part of the accelerator means you can access all of our certificates and training programs for free. But it also means that you can share best practices and learnings with other schools really easily, and I think that is one of the best parts.

And for the future, I think what we really care about is people learning how to make AI work for them. Whether you're a small business, like the ones that are benefiting from the University of Virginia program, or you're working as an educator or in a large corporation, AI can do lots of things. But what's important isn't what AI can do.

It is what people can do using AI, and that's where all this training and support comes in. 

[00:13:56] Ben Kornell: Given where your investments are with Grow with Google, do you imagine that this program expands horizontally into more courses? Do you imagine that it expands more vertically to different age groups? I could see-- To be honest, I could see my parents, they're retirees, getting a lot from Grow with Google.

I could see middle and elementary kids getting a lot from it. How do you imagine the program Grow with Google expanding in the future? 

[00:14:24] Lisa Gevelber: Yeah. You know, over the last eight years, we have loved all the different ways that people are putting our training and, and credentials to work. A lot of people use it as they're entering their careers, but a lot of people also use it as a really powerful way to do career switching.

And I think that's important because there haven't been a ton of great ways to do like a mid-career switch, right? Mm-hmm. Most people don't have years to go back to school full-time. 

[00:14:55] Ben Kornell: Totally true. 

[00:14:56] Lisa Gevelber: Their life doesn't allow that. They've got family and other commitments, and so they need something that they can do in a part-time, ideally on demand, like when they have time kind of way.

That's why we built our certificate program the way we built it. About twenty-five percent of working Americans don't even know their work schedule for the following week, and they don't control it. So having programs like ours that are industry-recognized, high quality, short form credentials, where you can also do it online on demand when you have time, is critical, I think, for society, for people to be able to switch careers.

And I think just as much as we're seeing technology be fast moving, the world of careers, I think, is clearly also going to be somewhat a fast moving place. And actually, I think that can be good news for a lot of people. I think if you are someone who embraces learning And takes advantage of opportunities like this training, you will have many more opportunities in the future to change into a different career that's potentially more exciting or interesting to you in the moment, potentially even has much more access to economic mobility.

And I think more people will have access to that in the future because there'll be more movement between careers. And because these tools are general purpose tools, they apply to so many fields, and when you know how to use them, that's a giant unlock for you to be able to do different things throughout your career and your life.

And so I think that's really good news. 

[00:16:33] Ben Kornell: Yeah, for sure. And I think all of the concern about job dislocation with AI, all the thinking about AI resiliency, there's a way in which programs like Grow with Google exist so that you don't have to take that two years out to go get a degree or something. It's really just-in-time learning to help you with whatever that next lily pad move is.

Well, this has been so wonderful, Lisa. Thanks so much for joining us here at EdTech Insiders. If people wanna learn more about Grow with Google, what's the best way to find out more? 

[00:17:08] Lisa Gevelber: I hope they do come check out all the resources. I think the easiest thing is go to the Grow with Google website, which is just grow.google.

You type that into your browser, and you're there. And right there is everything for students, teachers, people who are already in the career in the workforce. All of it's on the Grow with Google website. 

[00:17:25] Ben Kornell: Wonderful. Well, I appreciate you being on the podcast. Thank you, EdTech Insiders listeners. Check it out, grow.google.

Lisa, we wish you the best, and we can't wait to see how you revolutionize higher ed and ongoing learning in the future. Thanks so much for joining us today. 

[00:17:43] Lisa Gevelber: Thank you so much for having me. 

[00:17:45] Alex Sarlin: Thanks for listening to this episode of EdTech Insiders. If you like the podcast, remember to rate it and share it with others in the EdTech community.

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Tuck Advisors was founded by entrepreneurs who built and sold their own companies. Frustrated by other M&A firms, they created the one they wished they could have hired but couldn't find. One who understands what matters to founders and whose North Star KPI is the percentage of deals closed. If you're thinking of selling your EdTech company or buying one, contact Tuck Advisors now