photo credit: CA Governor
Governor Gavin Newsom speaks at a press conference about creating 
an "AI-ready" workforce in California, on August 7, 2025.

Some of California’s top artificial intelligence companies are partnering with the state’s K-12 schools and colleges to prepare students for job skills using the new technology.

Governor Gavin Newsom said the initiative aims to expand AI training so that students have  practical, job-ready skills, not just traditional degrees.

He spoke about it at a press conference in San Francisco.

"You don’t need a fancy degree necessarily to do extraordinary things," Newsom said. "It’s not how much you know. We love to say this here at Google. Google knows more. It’s what you’re going to do with what you know that matters most."

California Community Colleges Chancellor Dr. Sonya Christian said the training  is already ramping up.

"We have Microsoft bootcamps all across California in the different regions," Christian said. "We’re bringing in Microsoft Co-Pilot. We’re bringing in cyber security, workforce training and very practical skills to our faculty…to keep up with the changes happening in industry."

Officials said this effort will help prepare a broader and more diverse workforce for the new AI economy, keeping California competitive on the global stage.

Newsom’s office said the training is voluntary and comes at no cost to the schools.

Earlier this year, the governor announced a push for AI to play a larger role in state government operations.