A new initiative from Google highlights growing efforts to shape how AI will affect jobs and the wider economy.

Announced alongside a policy forum in Washington D.C., the programme brings together economists, policymakers and industry leaders to assess risks, identify knowledge gaps and support coordinated responses to technological change.

Fresh investment in research forms a central pillar of the strategy. Through its AI and Economy Research Program, Google is funding academic collaboration and global studies focused on labour markets, productivity and sector-specific transformation.

Partnerships aim to generate insights on AI's impact on work, with the strongest results seen where it supports learning, reduces routine tasks and improves collaboration.

Workforce preparation represents a parallel priority. Google has already trained millions in digital skills and is expanding efforts through AI-focused certification programmes and a $120 million global fund for education initiatives.

New partnerships target practical applications, including training healthcare workers, expanding apprenticeships and equipping manufacturing employees with AI capabilities across multiple regions.

Long-term impact will depend on coordination between the public and private sectors. Google's approach reflects a broader shift towards structured governance, combining investment, research and policy engagement to manage both opportunities and risks.

Outcomes will hinge on how effectively stakeholders align innovation with workforce readiness and economic resilience.

Growing investment in AI research and workforce training directly shapes how economies absorb technological change and whether workers benefit or fall behind. Without alignment, skills gaps, uneven adoption and regulatory uncertainty could limit AI's potential and widen labour market inequalities.