Verizon, a major U.S. telecommunications company, has partnered with Goodwill Industries to provide free artificial intelligence (AI) training to job seekers, small businesses, and educators. This initiative is part of a larger $70 million nationwide effort aimed at helping workers adapt to the rapidly evolving job market driven by technological advancements. The program builds on Verizon’s previous $20 million investment, which was launched after the company announced plans to reduce 13,000 jobs last year. That initial funding was intended to help affected employees gain AI skills and transition into new roles. The new initiative will leverage instructional materials from leading technology firms such as IBM, Google, Anthropic, Microsoft, and OpenAI. Verizon CEO Dan Schulman emphasized that AI is transforming the workforce and that collaboration is essential to prepare workers for the future. “We can't do it alone,” Schulman said, adding that he hopes other major corporations will join the effort. He suggested that if every Fortune 100 company contributed $50 million or more to such programs, it could create a multibillion-dollar fund to support workforce development. Goodwill Industries, which has been offering digital skills training since 2017, is playing a key role in delivering the training to local communities. Goodwill CEO Steven Preston noted that AI-related skills are now increasingly in demand across many job sectors. “The requirement for AI in job descriptions has gone up exponentially,” Preston said. He explained that many workers find AI training intimidating and unclear on how to start, but the new platform will offer tailored learning opportunities for specific roles. “This is providing access to meaningful roles that many people wouldn't have been able to compete for before,” he added. Verizon is working with Goodwill because of its strong presence in local communities and its ability to provide hands-on support. Donna Epps, Verizon’s senior vice president, acknowledged the challenge of creating an AI-ready workforce in the U.S. “It’s a massive challenge,” she said, highlighting the need for partnerships to address the growing demand for skilled workers in the digital economy. The initiative aims to reach hundreds of thousands of people, offering them the tools and training needed to navigate the evolving job market.