SEP and Google to Grant AI, Cybersecurity Scholarships

Mexico’s Ministry of Public Education (SEP) and Google will grant 30,000 scholarships for Career Certificates in AI and Cybersecurity, aimed at students and teachers of higher secondary education in Mexico. This initiative seeks to address the shortage of specialized talent in the country.

"AI is not the future, it is the present, but it is in our hands to use it responsibly," says Mario Delgado, Minister of Public Education, through a press release. Delgado says that this collaboration responds to the urgent need to train the workforce in critical digital skills.

Eleonora Rabinovich, Director of Government Relations and Public Policy, Google Latin America, adds that the project reflects the company's commitment to social progress through technology.

Mexico’s Technology Talent Gap

The accelerated adoption of technologies such as AI, cloud computing, and cybersecurity has generated an unprecedented demand for specialized profiles. However, the education system and companies face difficulties in meeting these needs. Manpower reports that over 70% of Mexican companies report a shortage of technological talent. This situation places the country at a disadvantage compared to more developed markets.

Pedro López, Director, Metaworld Congress LATAM, tells Vértigo Político that the gap between the educational offer and the needs of the market is caused by multiple factors. On the one hand, the speed of innovation in the tech industry exceeds the updating capacity of traditional curricula. On the other, there is a disconnect between the productive and academic sectors, which limits the development of programs aligned with real demands.

To address this challenge, companies such as Google, Microsoft, and IBM are introducing professional certifications in these fields, arguing that they can reduce training time and increase employability. In Mexico, initiatives such as the SEP-Google scholarships represent a step in this direction, but public policies are needed to scale these efforts to all levels of education.

Certifications in the SEP-Google Collaboration

Through a press release, Google says that the 30,000 selected scholarship recipients will be able to access four specific Google Career Certificates designed to train professionals in high-demand areas.

The AI Certificate covers machine learning fundamentals, natural language processing (NLP), and ethics in algorithm development. Participants will learn how to implement AI models using tools such as TensorFlow and assess their social impact. This program is particularly relevant for industries such as fintech, healthcare, and manufacturing, where intelligent automation is transforming processes.

In cybersecurity, the curriculum includes risk management, network protection, and incident response. With cyberattacks on the rise in Latin America, this certification prepares students for roles such as security analysts or compliance consultants. Mexico ranks second in cyberattacks in the region, according to Fortinet.

The certificate in data analytics teaches how to collect, clean, and visualize information using platforms such as BigQuery and Tableau. These skills are essential in sectors that rely on data-driven decision making, such as retail, logistics, and financial services.

Finally, the certificate in software development covers programming in Python and JavaScript, among other topics. Graduates will be able to join agile development teams or undertake their own projects.

In addition to the scholarships, Google.org will invest US$2 million in partnership with the International Youth Foundation (IYF) to train 60,000 students in AI Fundamentals, reports Wired. The program will be implemented in Jalisco, Puebla, and Oaxaca, states with high tech growth potential but low rates of access to digital education.

According to Fiorella Fabbri, Communication and Public Affairs, Google Mexico, 85% of the graduates of previous certifications given by Google, such as the Generative AI for Educators course, implemented in Mexico in April last year, reported professional advances.

Global Landscape: AI and Equity

The World Economic Forum identifies talent shortage as one of the greatest risks to the global economy in the next decade. AI emerges as a palliative, but its uneven adoption could deepen existing gaps. Data from Randstad's AI & Equity report reveals that, although demand for AI skills quintupled, only 29% of certified professionals are women. The generational disparity is equally critical: while 45% of Generation Z receives AI training, just 22% of Baby Boomers access these opportunities.

To mitigate these imbalances, Randstad calls for the adoption of evidence-based strategies, such as accessible training that includes modular courses and flexible schedules, tailored to people with jobs or family responsibilities. A customized approach involves identifying specific barriers. For example, women in STEM often face cultural stereotypes, while older adults may require technical mentoring.