Mass to Provide Free AI Training to Residents

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CAMBRIDGE, Mass. — At Google's office in Cambridge, Governor Maura Healey announced a new statewide partnership with Grow with Google to offer all Massachusetts residents access to artificial intelligence and career certificate training programs at no cost through the Grow with Google program. 
 
This includes the new Google AI Professional Certificate, a program designed to help learners master the AI skills most in-demand by today's employers, and the Google Career Certificates program. This initiative is designed to help provide every resident and small business with the AI and tech skills they need to succeed in today's digital economy at no cost. 
 
The Google AI training programs will be led by the Massachusetts AI Hub (MA AI Hub), a division of the Massachusetts Technology Collaborative (MassTech). 
 
"This partnership creates an opportunity for us to support our workers, students and small business owners across Massachusetts, making sure they have the tools they need to compete and succeed in this rapidly evolving economy," said Governor Maura Healey. "Under the management of the MA AI Hub and with the partnership of Google, this resource will strengthen our workforce, our companies and ensure that Massachusetts remains the global leader in AI-led innovation and breakthroughs." 
 
Since launching in 2017, over one million people have completed Google's Career Certificate program globally. Over 70 percent of graduates report a positive career impact such as a promotion, new job, or raise, within six months of program completion. To date, Google has trained over 250,000 Bay Staters in digital skills in collaboration with over 150 local organizations including public libraries, chambers of commerce, and community colleges.                 
 
"Massachusetts is a global leader in technology and learning, and Google is proud to have been part of its community for over twenty years," said Lisa Gevelber, Founder, Grow with Google. "By partnering with Governor Healey and the Massachusetts AI Hub to provide training like the Google AI Professional Certificate at no cost, we're ensuring that every student, employee, and small business owner across the Commonwealth can thrive in the AI economy." 
 
In addition to Google's AI Professional Certificate, additional professional certificates are available in cybersecurity, digital marketing and e-commerce, IT support, project management, and user experience design through the   Google Career Certificates program  .Those interested in securing a certificate can find more information on the  MA AI Hub website .    
 
Most recently, the MA AI Hub partnered with Holyoke-based Massachusetts Green High Performance Computing Center (MGHPCC) to announce Cambridge Computer, in partnership with Dell Technologies, NVIDIA and VAST to create the Artificial Intelligence Compute Resources (AICR) environment at MGHPCC. Serving as the backbone of the MA AI Hub, AICR supports startups, businesses, researchers and educators with access to sustainable, high-performance compute resources required for AI innovation. 
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Pittsfield Council OKs Underground Fiber Network

By Brittany PolitoiBerkshires Staff

PITTSFIELD, Mass. — More underground fiber internet cables will be installed in Pittsfield. 

On Tuesday, the City Council approved Gateway Fiber's request to install an underground fiber network infrastructure within the city's right-of-way.  

The company was given the go-ahead for an aerial network last year alongside Archtop Fiber, marking the beginning of construction with a ribbon-cutting at the Colonial Theatre. Gateway Fiber will offer subscription plans ranging from $65 to $150 per month, depending on speed. 

Wards 3 and 4 will see the most work in the first phase, according to an underground fiber deployment plan.  Fourteen streets in Ward 4 will see underground fiber deployment; 13 streets in Ward 3.  

Ward 4 Councilor James Conant voted in opposition for personal reasons, as he signed up for Gateway Fiber briefly last year and said he had poor service and poor communication from the company. 

Some councilors and community members appreciated bringing competition to Spectrum internet services. Ward 5 Councilor Patrick Kavey pointed out that it costs about $90 per month for 500 megabytes per second with Spectrum, and that all three fiber services that have come to Pittsfield are cheaper. 

Operations Manager Jennifer Sharick explained that they were seeking approval for underground fiber deployment as part of the next phase in Pittsfield. The city was found to be a "very" viable community for underground fiber. 

Gateway Fiber, she said, originally served a community of 250 residents outside of St. Louis, Mo. 

"Following the pandemic, we saw the need, and what people need for fiber and reliable internet service to bring residents and businesses the opportunity for connectivity," Sharick said. 

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