New Free AI Course Offered by Santander and Google
Banco Santander and Google have joined forces to offer a free artificial intelligence (AI) course aimed at individuals aged 18 and above globally. This initiative, launched on the Santander Open Academy platform, is accessible in English, Spanish, and Portuguese. The course is designed to provide an understanding of AI’s potential at home and in the workplace, focusing on boosting productivity, learning AI basics, automating tasks, and problem-solving efficiently.
The “Santander | Google: Artificial Intelligence and Productivity” course seeks to democratise AI education and provide valuable tools for enhancing job skills. According to Rafael Hernández, Global Head of Digital Products and Platforms at Santander University, “There’s absolutely no doubt that AI is revolutionising our day-to-day, especially at the workplace and in the creation of new job opportunities and roles. This course provides valuable tools to boost job skills and generate greater competitiveness and seamless adaptation to the current and future demands of the job market”.
Covadonga Soto, Google’sChief Marketing Officer for Spain and Portugal, echoed this sentiment: “We are very happy to partner with Banco Santander to offer this free AI course open to everyone, everywhere. This partnership showcases our shared commitment to levelling the playing field in AI education and empowering people with the skills they need to get ahead in the digital age. We believe that only by making AI knowledge and skills accessible to everyone can we unlock new opportunities for personal and professional growth.”
Key Learning Outcomes
The course is structured to be accessible to all, regardless of experience. It employs clear and direct explanations to help participants grasp essential AI concepts and their increasing influence on various industries. Key skills covered in the course include:
AI Basics: Understanding fundamental principles of AI and its transformative impact across industries.
Practical AI Applications: Learning to use AI tools such as Google’s Gemini to enhance everyday productivity.
Effective Command Techniques: Developing the ability to issue clear, precise commands to maximise the utility of AI tools.
Upon completion, participants will receive a certificate that validates their newfound skills and knowledge.
Supporting Education and Employability
Banco Santander’s commitment to education, employability, and entrepreneurship spans over 27 years. The bank has invested over €2.3 billion and supported more than 1.5 million individuals and businesses through collaborations with nearly 1,200 universities worldwide. The Santander Open Academy platform offers a wide array of fully subsidised courses, free learning content, and various global grants and scholarships for prestigious universities and institutions. Recognising these efforts, Fortune magazine included Banco Santander in its 2023 “Change the World” list for significant contributions to improving the world.
The Role of AI in the Job Market
The course aims to prepare individuals for emerging opportunities as AI drives demand for specific job roles. Andreas Welsch, Founder and Chief AI Strategist at Intelligence Briefing, highlighted the importance of AI prompt engineers who blend technical skills and creativity. These professionals need to know the right models to use, understand the transactional costs, select appropriate prompting techniques, and craft effective sequences of words to generate desired outcomes.
Conclusion
This initiative by Banco Santander and Google underscores a shared commitment to making AI education accessible to all, equipping individuals with the skills necessary to thrive in the digital age. By doing so, they aim to unlock new opportunities for personal and professional growth, ultimately fostering a more competitive and adaptable workforce for the future.
