Verizon has announced a $70 million investment in a new initiative, Verizon AI Skills for America, designed to equip job seekers, early career professionals, displaced workers, educators, and small businesses with AI skills. The program combines Verizon's existing $20 million Reskilling and Career Transition Fund with $50 million in new funding to offer free access to best-in-class AI training. This move underscores the growing recognition that AI proficiency is becoming essential across industries and that public-private collaboration is needed to ensure workers are not left behind.
"Strengthening the American economy starts with making sure every individual has the opportunity to adapt and succeed in a rapidly changing world. AI isn't just a technological shift—it will change the face of every workforce around the world," said Dan Schulman, Verizon CEO. "Companies, working closely together and with the public sector, have a responsibility to invest in people with the same urgency they invest in technology." The initiative is a direct response to the urgent need for reskilling as AI transforms job roles, and it positions Verizon as a leader in corporate responsibility.
To make training accessible, Verizon is curating a one-stop portal that consolidates high-value content from leading AI experts, including IBM, Google, Microsoft, Anthropic, Coursera, and OpenAI, at no cost to participants. This type of premium AI training can cost more than $700 per person per year, so providing it free helps bridge the skills gap for learners at every career stage. "Creating meaningful economic opportunity in the AI era is not something any one company can achieve alone," said Donna Epps, Chief Responsible Business Officer of Verizon. "We are deeply grateful to our tech partners for collaborating with us to bring world-class AI training to local communities entirely free of charge."
Beyond content, the program emphasizes community partnership. Verizon is collaborating with mission-based organizations like Local Initiatives Support Corporation (LISC), the National Association for Community College Entrepreneurship (NACCE), and Goodwill Industries International to provide hands-on coaching, curriculum guidance, and local support. "Real workforce transformation happens at the community level in the neighborhoods where people live, learn, and look for their next opportunity," said Steven C. Preston, CEO of Goodwill Industries International. This approach recognizes that access alone is insufficient; personalized support is crucial to turning online coursework into practical skills.
The initiative will launch nationwide with core services available in select regional markets, and Verizon will gather real-time feedback to continuously improve the program. By investing in AI skills, Verizon aims to help workers retain jobs, navigate transitions, and support small businesses, ultimately building a more resilient economy. For more information or to register, visit verizon.com/aiskillsforamerica. This announcement was originally published by Verizon; Read the original press release. Verizon, headquartered in New York City, generated revenues of $138.2 billion in 2025 and serves nearly all of the Fortune 500. For more about Verizon, visit verizon.com or find a retail location at verizon.com/stores.
