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Google Announces $10M to the Manufacturing Institute to Develop AI Skills for the Manufacturing Workforce

William Attardi on April 15, 2026

Google. org’s funding will enable the Manufacturing Institute to develop two new courses for shop floor workers: AI 101 for Manufacturing and Advanced AI for Manufacturing Technicians. The $10 million funding will support the MI in developing AI skills training programs for manufacturing workers and expand employer-led apprenticeship programs via the MI’s Federation for Advanced Manufacturing Education (FAME USA). The initiative is part of Google.org’s AI Opportunity Fund that helps Americans learn AI skills at no cost in collaboration with workforce development and education organizations across the country. The U.S. is facing a significant manufacturing skills gap. By 2033, it’s projected that nearly 1.9 million manufacturing roles could go unfilled if the workforce is not equipped with the necessary technical skills. This builds on Google’s previous commitment to support infrastructure and skilled trades. Google recently announced a similar effort with the electrical training ALLIANCE to train electrical workers throughout the country.  Google announces $10M to the Manufacturing Institute to develop AI skills for the manufacturing workforce – Modern Materials Handling

US Department of Labor Launches ‘Make America AI-Ready’

William Attardi on March 30, 2026

The U.S. Department of Labor announced the launch of “Make America AI-Ready,” a free artificial intelligence literacy course that will help American workers learn the basics of AI simply by texting “READY” to 20202. The course is uniquely designed to deliver bite-sized learning content and daily challenges to users entirely over text message. Users can complete the course in seven days by engaging for just 10 minutes a day. The text message-based design is intended to be as accessible as possible to all Americans, including those without a laptop or with limited access to the internet. The content areas are:

  • Understand AI Principles: Understanding AI’s core concepts, capabilities, and limitations, creating the foundation for effective use.
  • Explore AI Uses: Directly exploring different AI tools and relevant use cases, and how AI can complement human expertise.
  • Direct AI Effectively: Understanding how to provide the right context to AI and how to create clear prompts that produce effective outputs.
  • Evaluate AI Outposts: Assessing AI-generated results for accuracy and relevance.
  • Use AI Responsibly: Using AI in ethical and secure ways, protecting critical information, and ensuring accountability for outcomes.

Learn more about the Make America AI-Ready initiative at dol.gov/ai-ready.

US Department of Labor Launches ‘Make America AI-Ready’ – electrifiED

The Creator of Baby Ruth Actually Sued Babe Ruth –The Baby Ruth candy bar was created by the Curtiss Candy Company in 1920 — the same year that baseball legend Babe Ruth hit a then-record 54 home runs. But the Great Bambino was irked that the company was selling a candy bar with such a similar name to his own without offering him any royalties. Rather than take the Curtiss Candy Company to court, the Sultan of Swat decided to make his own candy bar, and in 1926 he debuted Ruth’s Home Run bar. The Curtiss Candy Company responded by turning the tables and taking Ruth to court. They accused the slugger of trying to steal their trademark and capitalize on the success of their brand. In a 1931 deposition, Curtiss founder Otto Schnering insisted the candy was named after “Baby Ruth” Cleveland — the daughter of President Grover Cleveland.  He also attested that the company came up with the name in 1919 before the baseball player had become a household name and that the name was merely coincidental. While the validity of those claims is disputed to this day, the court nonetheless ruled in favor of the candy company, forcing Ruth to end his foray into the world of candy.